Eleanor Finch
The US Constitution is a complex document, and it can be challenging to remember all its sections. The Constitution is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. To remember the sections, it can be helpful to understand the broader legal framework and context of each section. Additionally, using mnemonic devices, such as acronyms or phrases, can aid in recalling the different parts of the Constitution. For example, to remember the six freedoms guaranteed under Article 19 (Freedom of Speech and Expression), you can create a mnemonic like SAMPLE, where each letter stands for one of the freedoms. Other techniques include associating sections with landmark cases or historical events and grouping related sections together to reinforce your understanding of how they interrelate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of words in the famous first sentence | 52 |
| Number of articles | 7 |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| First 10 amendments known as | Bill of Rights |
| Date of signing | September 17, 1787 |
| Date of ratification | June 21, 1788 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution's Preamble and seven articles
The US Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution includes an introductory paragraph, titled the Preamble, which outlines the intentions and principles of the document.
The Preamble states: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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."
Following the Preamble are seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. These articles outline the powers and responsibilities of the government and its various branches. The seven articles are:
- Vesting of legislative powers in Congress, consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives.
- Rules for elections, including qualifications for electors and the process of choosing members of the House of Representatives.
- Regulations for Congress, including the process of proposing amendments, the power to constitute inferior tribunals, and the ability to punish for crimes.
- Details regarding the presidency, including the process of electing the President and Vice President, as well as the powers and responsibilities of the executive branch.
- The roles and responsibilities of state governments and their relationship with the federal government.
- Details regarding debts, contracts, and engagements entered into prior to the adoption of the Constitution.
- The process of ratifying the Constitution and the relationship between state laws and federal laws.
The Constitution also includes an untitled closing endorsement with the signatures of 39 framers and 27 amendments that have been adopted under Article V. Amendments to the Constitution are valid when ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or conventions.
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The 27 amendments
The US Constitution has 27 amendments, beginning with the Bill of Rights, which consists of the first 10 amendments, ratified on December 15, 1791. The process of proposing and ratifying amendments is outlined in Article V of the original Constitution. The Congress, with a two-thirds majority in both houses, can propose amendments, or two-thirds of the state legislatures can request amendments via a convention. Amendments become valid when ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or conventions.
The first two proposed amendments, concerning the number of constituents for each Representative and the compensation of Congressmen, were not ratified. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, guarantee various freedoms and rights, including freedom of speech, press, and religion, the right to bear arms, protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and due process rights.
Amendment XI, passed by Congress on March 4, 1794, and ratified on February 7, 1795, modified Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution, clarifying the judicial powers of the United States and limiting the jurisdiction of the federal courts over cases involving citizens of different states.
Amendment XII, passed by Congress on December 9, 1803, and ratified on June 15, 1804, superseded a portion of Article II, Section 1, and established the procedure for electing the president and vice president, including the role of electors.
Amendment XXIV, passed by Congress on August 27, 1962, and ratified on January 23, 1964, focused on the right of citizens to vote in elections for President and Vice President, ensuring that citizens in the District of Columbia could elect their own electors.
The 18th Amendment, which prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol, was repealed, and its repeal was detailed in one of the amendments.
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The first 10 amendments are the Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution are collectively known as the Bill of Rights. The amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, and were designed to limit government power and protect individual liberties. James Madison, then a member of the US House of Representatives, wrote the amendments, which were influenced by the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Magna Carta, the Petition of Right, the English Bill of Rights, and the Massachusetts Body of Liberties.
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 interfering with the free exercise thereof. The Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, while the Third Amendment states that no soldier shall be quartered in a house in peacetime without the owner's consent.
The Fourth Amendment safeguards citizens' rights to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures. It also requires warrants to be supported by probable cause and to particularly describe the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. The Fifth Amendment provides several protections for people accused of crimes, including the right against self-incrimination and the prohibition on double jeopardy. It also states that serious criminal charges must be started by a grand jury and that property cannot be taken away without just compensation.
The Sixth Amendment provides additional protections for those accused of crimes, including the right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, and the right to confront witnesses. 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 or disparage other rights retained by the people. Finally, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution to the states or the people.
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Amendments require a two-thirds majority
The process of amending the US Constitution is outlined in Article V of the Constitution. The process begins with a proposal for an amendment, which can be made by either of two methods. The first method is for two-thirds of both Houses of Congress to deem it necessary and propose an amendment. The second method is for two-thirds of the State legislatures to call for a constitutional convention to propose amendments. Notably, none of the 27 amendments to the Constitution have been proposed by constitutional convention.
Once an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified. Ratification can occur in one of two ways. The first method is through the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States (38 out of 50 States). The second method is through conventions in three-fourths of the States. The mode of ratification is proposed by Congress.
After 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 duties associated with this function to the Director of the Federal Register. Once the Director of the Federal Register verifies that the required number of authenticated ratification documents has been received, a formal proclamation is drafted for the Archivist to certify that the amendment is valid and has become part of the Constitution.
The certification is published in the Federal Register and U.S. Statutes at Large, serving as official notice to Congress and the Nation that the amendment process has been completed. In recent history, the signing of the certification has become a ceremonial function attended by various dignitaries, including the President on some occasions.
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The Constitution was signed in 1787 and ratified in 1788
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788.
The process of drafting the Constitution began on May 25, 1787, when the Constitutional Convention met for the first time at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. The convention was attended by delegates from 12 of the 13 states (all except Rhode Island). George Washington, as president of the convention, was the first to sign the document, followed by the other delegates, grouped by state in strict congressional voting order.
The signing of the Constitution took place on September 17, 1787, the same day that the convention ended and the ratification process began. Within three days, the document was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation, then sitting in New York City. Congress had the power to reject the proposal but instead voted unanimously on September 28 to forward it to the states for ratification.
Under the process outlined in Article VII of the proposed Constitution, only nine of the 13 states needed to ratify the document for it to become the nation's founding text. This two-thirds majority was achieved on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire cast the ninth vote in favour of ratification.
The remaining four states—North Carolina, Rhode Island, New York, and Vermont—ratified the Constitution by May 29, 1790.
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Frequently asked questions
One useful technique to remember the sections in the US Constitution is to understand the context and purpose behind each section. This will help you comprehend the broader legal framework in which the section operates, making it easier to remember.
You can use a mnemonic device, such as an acronym or a phrase, to help you remember the seven articles in the US Constitution. For example, the first three articles could be remembered with the phrase "PReP" – P for Preamble, Re for the first article on the US legislative branch, and P for the second article on the US executive branch.
The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, can be remembered as they were ratified together on December 15, 1791. The remaining amendments can be remembered by associating them with famous cases or historical events.
