Eleanor Finch
The United States Constitution, the oldest written national constitution still in use, is a four-page document signed on September 17, 1787, that established the government of the United States. It is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. The US Constitution has been amended 27 times since it became operational in 1789, with the first ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 4 or 5 |
| Page dimensions | 3.25″ X 6.5″ |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution is four pages long
The Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It is the fundamental law of the US federal system of government and a landmark document of the Western world. The Constitution defines the principal organs of government and their jurisdictions, as well as the basic rights of citizens.
The document originally included seven articles, which delineate the frame of the federal government. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I); the executive, consisting of the President and subordinate officers (Article II); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III).
The Constitution's opening words, "We the People", represented a new thought: the idea that the people, and not the states, were the source of the government's legitimacy. The phrase is considered an improvement on the original draft, which followed "We the People" with a list of the 13 states.
Since the Constitution became operational in 1789, it has been amended 27 times. The first ten amendments, known collectively as the Bill of Rights, offer specific protections of individual liberty and justice and place restrictions on the powers of government within the US states.
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It was drafted in 1787
The length of the United States Constitution has long been a topic of interest, and its creation was a significant moment in the nation's history. The answer to your question, "How long is the US Constitution in pages?" varies depending on the format and version of this historic document. But, as for the drafting, we turn to 1787.
The year 1787 marked a pivotal moment in the formation of the United States of America as the US Constitution was drafted. It was a time of great change and a pivotal moment in the nation's young history. The country was still in its infancy, having only recently gained independence from Britain, and the need for a strong central government and a unifying document was pressing. The Articles of Confederation, which had been the first attempt at a governing document, proved too weak to provide the necessary structure and stability.
So, in the sweltering Philadelphia summer of 1787, delegates from 12 states (all except Rhode Island) gathered for the Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention. The goal was to revise the Articles, but it quickly became apparent that a completely new framework was needed. Over the course of four months, from May to September, these delegates, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton, engaged in passionate debates and careful negotiations to shape the future of the young nation.
The final document, signed on September 17, 1787, consisted of a preamble, seven original articles, and a signature page. It established a federal system with a separation of powers, a system of checks and balances, and a framework for governing the country. The Constitution has since been amended several times, but the foundation laid in 1787 remains a testament to the foresight and dedication of its drafters. Their work not only united the states but also created a model of governance that has endured for over two centuries.
The year 1787 was a pivotal moment in the creation of the United States, and the drafting of the Constitution was a remarkable achievement. It laid the groundwork for a nation that would become a global power and a beacon of democracy. The document's influence extends far beyond its physical length, as its principles and ideals continue to shape the country's laws, values, and identity. The US Constitution is a living document, and its impact is felt every day in the lives of Americans.
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It has been amended 27 times
The United States Constitution, one of the world's most influential legal documents, is a relatively concise document. In its original form, it consisted of just four pages, containing seven articles and a preamble. However, despite its initial brevity, the Constitution has undergone significant changes and expansions over the years through amendments.
"It has been amended 27 times." This statement underscores the dynamic nature of the Constitution, highlighting how it has evolved to meet the changing needs and circumstances of the nation. The process of amending the Constitution is deliberate and rigorous, requiring the approval of a supermajority of Congress or, alternatively, the states. This ensures that any changes made are carefully considered and reflect a broad consensus.
The first ten amendments, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were added in 1791 and primarily focus on protecting individual liberties and preventing governmental overreach. For instance, the First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, speech, and the press, while the Second Amendment addresses the right to bear arms. These amendments were deemed necessary to assuage the fears of those who felt the original document lacked explicit protections for certain fundamental rights.
Subsequent amendments address a range of issues, including voting rights, civil rights, and the powers of the federal government. For example, the Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, granted citizenship and due process rights to former slaves, while the Nineteenth Amendment, ratified in 1920, guaranteed women's right to vote. The Twenty-Second Amendment, added in 1951, limited the number of terms the President could serve.
The most recent amendment, the Twenty-Seventh Amendment, was ratified in 1992, illustrating the lengthy and often challenging process of amending the Constitution. This amendment addressed congressional salary increases, stipulating that any changes to the compensation of members of Congress will only take effect following the next election.
These 27 amendments stand as a testament to the adaptability and resilience of the American constitutional system, demonstrating how the nation's founding document has been refined and updated to reflect the evolving values and needs of its citizens.
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It is the oldest written constitution in use
The United States Constitution is a four-page document that was signed on September 17, 1787, and established the government of the United States. It is the oldest written constitution still in use today.
The US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It acted like a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. The Constitution united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the people.
The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. Articles that have been amended still include the original text, although provisions repealed by amendments under Article V are usually bracketed or italicized to indicate they no longer apply. Despite these changes, the focus of each Article remains the same as when they were adopted in 1787.
While the US Constitution is indeed the oldest written constitution still in use, it is not the oldest constitution in the world. The Constitution of San Marino, enacted in 1600, is the oldest surviving constitution globally. Additionally, the United Kingdom has an "unwritten" constitution based on common law, practices, and various statutes, including the Magna Carta, which was written in the 13th century.
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It established the US government
The United States Constitution, the supreme law of the land, is a document that established the US government and its fundamental laws and principles. It is a relatively concise document, consisting of just four pages. Yet, within those few pages, the Constitution lays out the framework and structure of the federal government, defining its powers and responsibilities, and setting out the rights and freedoms of the country's citizens.
The Constitution was written in 1787 by the Founding Fathers, who sought to create a strong central government while also protecting the rights of the states and the people. It was a compromise between the existing Articles of Confederation, which gave the central government very limited powers, and the proposals put forward by some for a much stronger central authority. The result was a system of checks and balances, with power divided between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and between the federal government and the individual states.
The first three articles of the Constitution outline the structure of the federal government. Article One establishes the legislative branch, the US Congress, and outlines its powers, including the power to declare war, raise revenue, and make laws. Article Two establishes the executive branch, with the President as the commander-in-chief and head of state, and Article Three the judicial branch, headed by the Supreme Court.
The remaining articles and amendments to the Constitution further define the powers and responsibilities of the government and the rights of citizens. For example, the famous first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, prohibit the government from infringing on freedoms such as speech, religion, and assembly. Other amendments address issues such as citizenship, voting rights, and the election process.
The US Constitution has proved to be a remarkably durable document, providing a stable framework for the US government for over two centuries. Its principles and structures have been emulated by many other countries, and it remains a cornerstone of American democracy, a living document that continues to shape and guide the nation.
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Frequently asked questions
The original US Constitution was four pages long. It was handwritten on five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus.
The US Constitution is housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. All four pages of the document are on permanent display.
The US Constitution is available in booklet form, which is pocket-sized and convenient to carry around. It is also available online.
