United States Constitution
For the full text of the U.S. Constitution, see Full Text of the United States Constitution.
The United States Constitution is the supreme legal text that forms the framework of the current United States government. It was written by the Constitutional Convention of 1787 which debated many plans and compromises. After a heated debate all 13 states ratified it in 1788 and it started in operation in 1789, with George Washington the first president, as the first Congress met in new York City.
It superseded the Articles of Confederation. It is the oldest written constitution.[1] Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17th.
Contents
Other interesting facts about The Constitution:
- Established on November 26, 1789, the first national "Thanksgiving Day" was originally created by George Washington as a way of "giving thanks" for the Constitution. [2]
- The U.S. Constitution was prepared in secret, behind locked doors that were guarded by sentries.
- Some of the original framers and many delegates in the state ratifying conventions were very troubled that the original Constitution lacked a description of individual rights. In 1791, Americans added a list of rights to the Constitution. The first ten amendments became known as The Bill of Rights. [3]
Constitutional Principles
The Constitution of the United States of America specifies the laws by which The United States government is allowed to govern, included among these are the Freedom of Religion, Freedom of The Press, Freedom of Speech, and the right of habeas corpus (Amendment XIV). It also, helps to guarantee the rights of the minorities by rule of law, such as African Americans and other minority groups, and to guarantee religious freedoms. It also defines a system of checks and balances by establishing three separate but equal branches of government (Legislative, Judicial and Executive), and lists the of powers not specified in The Constitution are reserved to the states and to the people. It also established a representative republic form of government, by the consent of the governed.
Preamble
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Articles
The US Constitution contains seven articles, followed by twenty-seven amendments. Click the Article names to read a full description of each article.
- Article I pertains to Congress.
- Article II pertains to the presidency.
- Article III pertains to the Judicial branch of government.
- Article IV addresses relations between the states of the United States.
- Article V details the process for amending the Constitution.
- Article VI establishes the Constitution, law passed by Congress, and treaties entered by the United States as the supreme law of the land.
- Article VII explains the Constitution's ratification.
Amendments
- First Amendment
- Second Amendment
- Third Amendment
- Fourth Amendment
- Fifth Amendment
- Sixth Amendment
- Seventh Amendment
- Eighth Amendment
- Ninth Amendment
- Tenth Amendment
- Eleventh Amendment
- Twelfth Amendment
- Thirteenth Amendment
- Fourteenth Amendment
- Fifteenth Amendment
- Sixteenth Amendment
- Seventeenth Amendment
- Eighteenth Amendment
- Nineteenth Amendment
- Twentieth Amendment
- Twenty-First Amendment
- Twenty-Second Amendment
- Twenty-Third Amendment
- Twenty-Fourth Amendment
- Twenty-Fifth Amendment
- Twenty-Sixth Amendment
- Twenty-Seventh Amendment
