Malcolm Rivera
The US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use and has been around for over 200 years. Drafted in 1787, the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified in 1788 when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The Constitution has since been amended 27 times, with the first ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing | 17th September 1787 |
| Date of ratification | 21st June 1788 |
| Location of original copy | National Archives, Washington, D.C. |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| Number of amendments that are part of the Bill of Rights | 10 |
| Date the Bill of Rights was ratified | 15th December 1791 |
| Date the first 12 amendments were proposed | September 1789 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use
The US Constitution, written in 1787, is the oldest written national constitution still in use. It was signed on September 17, 1787, and established the government of the United States. The Constitution has been amended several times, but the focus of each Article remains the same as when it was first adopted.
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land in the United States and is the world's longest-surviving charter of government. It replaced the Articles of Confederation, which served as the country's first constitution. The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money.
The process of drafting and ratifying the Constitution was long and arduous. It was written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, which convened on May 14, 1787. The delegates debated and redrafted the articles of the Constitution throughout the summer, addressing issues such as the balance of power between the central government and the states, the number of representatives in Congress for each state, and how these representatives should be elected.
The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787, and submitted for ratification. It required ratification by nine of the 13 existing states to become binding, and this was achieved on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it. The Constitution's ratification process included a compromise to include a Bill of Rights, which was ratified on December 15, 1791.
The Constitution has been amended 27 times, with the first ten amendments collectively known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments outline personal freedoms, rights, and limitations on the government's power. The Constitution remains the fundamental law of the US federal system and a landmark document of the Western world.
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The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The United States Constitution, the world's longest-surviving charter of government, was signed on September 17, 1787. This date marked the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, which had convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 14, 1787, with the initial purpose of amending the Articles of Confederation. However, the delegates, through discussion and debate, ultimately decided to draft a new form of government, resulting in the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
The Constitution was written and debated throughout the summer of 1787, in closed sessions, by 55 delegates representing 13 states. The document was signed by 39 delegates, including key figures such as Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, who played a significant role in lobbying for its ratification. The Constitution established the basic framework of the federal government, outlining the powers and structure of its principal organs, and defining the rights of citizens.
The signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, was a pivotal moment in American history, but it did not immediately come into effect. According to Article VII, the Constitution would only become binding once it was ratified by nine of the 13 existing states. The process of ratification began, with Delaware becoming the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787. This was followed by ratifications from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
The opposition to the Constitution from some states, on the grounds of insufficient protection of certain rights, led to the Massachusetts Compromise in February 1788. This compromise resulted in the proposal of amendments that became the Bill of Rights. The Constitution gained further momentum with ratifications from Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, finally, New Hampshire on June 21, 1788, making it the official framework of the government of the United States.
The journey towards the ratification of the Constitution was a significant chapter in America's history, shaping the nation's future and laying the foundation for a stronger, more centralized government. The Constitution has since been amended multiple times, but the core provisions established in 1787 remain fundamental to the country's governance.
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It was ratified in June 1788
The US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use and has been around for over two centuries. It was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified in June 1788.
The Constitution was drafted in secret by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787. It was signed by 39 delegates, though some sources state 38. The document established the government of the United States and replaced the Articles of Confederation, which had served as the country's first constitution. The Articles of Confederation had given the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money.
The Constitution was ratified by nine states (as required by Article VII) in June 1788. New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the document on June 21, 1788. The first elections under the Constitution were held in 1788, and the new government commenced proceedings on March 4, 1789. George Washington was elected as the first President, with John Adams as Vice President.
The Constitution has been amended 27 times, with the first ten amendments collectively known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights outlines personal freedoms, rights, and limitations on the government's power in judicial proceedings. The Tenth Amendment reserves all powers not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution for the states or the people. The first 12 amendments were proposed in September 1789, and 10 were ratified by the states on December 15, 1791.
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The Constitution has 27 amendments
The US Constitution has been around for over 230 years. It was signed on September 17, 1787, and became the official framework of the US government on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island approved the document.
Amendments to the Constitution must be proposed and ratified before becoming operative. Amendments can be proposed and sent to the states for ratification by the US Congress, with a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Alternatively, a national convention can be called by Congress on the application of two-thirds of state legislatures. However, this option has never been used. Once an amendment is ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50), it becomes an operative part of the Constitution.
The process of amending the Constitution was designed to balance the need for change with the need for stability. Since the early 20th century, Congress has often stipulated a seven-year deadline for ratification. Congress's authority to set such a deadline was affirmed in 1939 by the Supreme Court in Coleman v. Miller.
Despite the amendments, the Constitution's original text remains untouched, and the focus of each Article is preserved. Amendments to the Constitution are indicated by bracketing or italicizing the original text.
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The first ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights
The US Constitution has been around since the 18th century. On September 17, 1787, 38 out of 41 delegates signed the new US Constitution. The Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it.
The first ten amendments to the US Constitution are collectively known as the Bill of Rights. The amendments were written by James Madison to limit government power and protect individual liberties. Madison, then a member of the US House of Representatives, altered the Constitution's text where he deemed appropriate. However, several representatives objected, saying that Congress had no authority to change the Constitution's wording. As a result, Madison's changes were presented as a list of amendments that would follow Article VII.
The Bill of Rights became law on December 15, 1791, after being ratified by ten states. The First Amendment protects the freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government. It also prohibits the government from establishing a religion or impeding the free exercise thereof. The Second Amendment grants citizens the right to bear arms, while the Third Amendment states that no soldier shall be quartered in any house without the owner's consent. The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable government intrusion into their homes, requiring a warrant for searches and arrests. The Fifth Amendment provides several protections for people accused of crimes, including the right to a grand jury, protection against double jeopardy, and protection against self-incrimination. The Sixth Amendment provides additional protections for those accused, including the right to a public trial and an impartial jury. The Seventh Amendment extends the right to a jury trial in federal civil cases, while the Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail and fines and cruel and unusual punishment. The Ninth Amendment states that the listing of specific rights in the Constitution does not deny other rights not explicitly mentioned. Finally, the Tenth Amendment states that the federal government only has the powers delegated to it by the Constitution, with all other powers being reserved for the states or the people.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution has been around since 1787, when it was signed on September 17.
The US Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it.
Twenty-seven amendments have been made to the US Constitution. The first ten are called the Bill of Rights.
The US Constitution is the supreme law of the land in the United States of America. It is the world's longest surviving charter of government.
