Jonah Patel
The Constitution of the United States of America is a landmark legal document that outlines the powers and responsibilities of the three chief branches of the Federal Government, as well as the basic rights of US citizens. It is the first permanent constitution and has been amended 27 times since it became operational in 1789. The original document was handwritten on four or five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Number of handwritten pages | 5 |
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What You'll Learn
The original US Constitution was handwritten on five pages
The US Constitution is a landmark legal document that outlines the powers and responsibilities of the three chief branches of the Federal Government, as well as the basic rights of US citizens. It was signed by the members of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, and became operational in 1789. The original US Constitution was handwritten on five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus. All four pages of the document are on permanent display at the National Archives.
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and acts as the primary law of the Federal Government. It has been amended 27 times since it came into effect, with the first ten amendments known collectively as the Bill of Rights. These amendments offer specific protections of individual liberty and justice and place restrictions on the powers of the government within US states. The majority of the 17 later amendments expand on individual civil rights protections, while others address issues related to federal authority or modify government processes and procedures.
The Constitution was created to unite the various states with different interests, laws, and cultures under one national government. It vested the power of the union in the people, outlining the legislative powers granted to Congress, which consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states, with each state having a set of qualifications for electors.
The Constitution also includes provisions for situations where a President or Vice President has not been chosen or has failed to qualify. In such cases, the Vice President-elect or the Congress may act as President until a President or Vice President qualifies, with specific procedures outlined. Additionally, it addresses vacancies in state representation in the Senate, allowing for temporary appointments until elections can be held.
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It became operational in 1789
The United States Constitution, the country's first permanent constitution, became operational in 1789. It was signed by the members of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, and outlines the powers and responsibilities of the three chief branches of the Federal Government, as well as the basic rights of US citizens. The document is four pages long and is on permanent display at the National Archives.
The Constitution is the primary law of the Federal Government and the supreme law of the land. It has been amended 27 times since it became operational. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, protect individual liberty and justice and restrict government powers within US states. The majority of the 17 later amendments expand individual civil rights protections, while others address federal authority or modify government processes.
The Constitution was the result of a convention that sought to unite a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. It vested power in the union of the people, bringing them together as members of a whole. The document also sought to obtain unanimous support from each state, with the formula "Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the states present..." devised to ensure this.
The Constitution outlines specific powers and responsibilities of the government. For instance, it states that when vacancies happen in the representation of any state in the Senate, the executive authority of the state shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies. It also outlines the process for choosing a President or Vice President if neither has been chosen or has failed to qualify before the beginning of their term.
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It has been amended 27 times
The US Constitution has been amended 27 times since it became operational in 1789. The first ten amendments, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791, and offer specific protections of individual liberty and justice, as well as placing restrictions on the powers of the government within US states.
Amendments 11 to 27 were passed and ratified at various dates between 1795 and 1964. Amendment 11, passed in 1794 and ratified in 1795, modified Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution, stating that the judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.
Amendment 12, passed in 1803 and ratified in 1804, superseded a portion of Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution. Amendment 22, passed in 1947 and ratified in 1951, states that no person shall be elected to the office of President more than twice, and that no person who has held the office of President for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of President more than once.
The majority of the 17 later amendments expand individual civil rights protections, while others address issues related to federal authority or modify government processes and procedures. Amendments to the United States Constitution are appended to the original document, which was handwritten on five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus.
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Amendments are appended to the original document
The US Constitution is a landmark legal document that comprises the primary law of the federal government. It outlines the powers and responsibilities of the three chief branches of the federal government, as well as the basic rights of US citizens. The original US Constitution was handwritten on five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus.
Since the Constitution became operational in 1789, it has been amended 27 times. The first ten amendments, known collectively as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. They offer specific protections of individual liberty and justice and place restrictions on the powers of government within the US states. Amendments to the US Constitution, unlike those made to many constitutions worldwide, are appended to the original document.
A proposed amendment becomes part of the Constitution as soon as it is ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50). The authority to amend the Constitution is derived from Article V of the Constitution. The amendment may be proposed either by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures.
Once Congress proposes an amendment, the Archivist of the United States, who heads the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), is responsible for administering the ratification process. The Archivist has delegated many of the ministerial duties associated with this function to the Director of the Federal Register. When the OFR verifies that it has received the required number of authenticated ratification documents, it drafts a formal proclamation for the Archivist to certify that the amendment is valid and has become part of the Constitution.
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All four pages are on display at the National Archives
The United States Constitution is a four-page document that has been on permanent display at the National Archives. It was signed by the members of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, and became operational in 1789. The Constitution outlines the powers and responsibilities of the three chief branches of the Federal Government, as well as the basic rights of US citizens.
The four pages of the Constitution are a significant display at the National Archives, offering an insightful glimpse into the nation's history and the foundational principles that continue to shape the country. The Archives serve as a repository of invaluable records, shedding light on the evolution of American governance and the rights enshrined within its democratic framework.
The document's presence at the National Archives underscores its enduring significance. As the supreme law of the land, the Constitution has been amended 27 times since its inception. The first ten amendments, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, safeguard individual liberty and justice while limiting government powers within the states.
The National Archives, by exhibiting the Constitution, provides visitors with a tangible connection to the nation's founding principles. It stands as a testament to the country's commitment to unity, liberty, and justice. Visitors have the opportunity to witness firsthand the document that laid the framework for America's governance and continues to guide the nation's legal and political landscape.
The display of the Constitution's four pages at the National Archives serves as a reminder of the country's rich history and the efforts undertaken to forge a unified nation. It invites reflection on the ideals that have shaped America and continues to inspire a sense of patriotism and pride among its citizens. Visitors to the Archives can explore the document's significance and gain a deeper understanding of the country's foundational values, as outlined in articles such as the Bill of Rights.
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Frequently asked questions
The original U.S. Constitution was handwritten on five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus.
All four pages of the document are on permanent display at the National Archives.
Since the Constitution became operational in 1789, it has been amended 27 times.
