Isabella Carter
The US Constitution is the world's shortest and oldest national constitution. It was written and signed in Philadelphia in 1787. The preamble sets the stage for the Constitution, communicating the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document. The preamble is an introduction to the highest law of the land.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Freedom | First and foremost |
| Length | World's shortest |
| Age | World's oldest |
| Rigidity | Not so rigid as to be stifling |
| Malleability | Not so malleable as to be devoid of meaning |
| Inspiration | Changed the trajectory of world history |
| Date written | 1787 |
| Place written | Philadelphia |
| Place signed | Independence Hall |
| Date signed | 17 September 1787 |
| Date first published | 19 September 1787 |
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What You'll Learn
The preamble
The Constitution was written during the Philadelphia Convention, now known as the Constitutional Convention, which convened from May 25 to September 17, 1787. It was signed on September 17, 1787, and a rare, original copy of the first public printing of the Constitution was published in a newspaper, The Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser, on September 19, 1787—just two days after it was signed.
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and it continues to be ratified by the states. It is the world's shortest and oldest national constitution, and it has been an inspiration that changed the trajectory of world history. The Constitution allows citizens to select their own form of government, including a democratic government, which was unprecedented in 1787.
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Freedom
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It was written and signed in 1787 in Philadelphia, in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. It is the world's shortest and oldest national constitution.
The preamble sets the stage for the Constitution, communicating the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document. The preamble is not the law, but it does outline the objectives of the Constitution. The first of these objectives is to establish justice.
The Constitution is a powerful vision of freedom. Former associate justice of the Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor, described it as "the most powerful vision of freedom ever expressed". It is neither so rigid as to be stifling, nor so malleable as to be devoid of meaning.
The Constitution was the result of months of passionate, thoughtful deliberation among the delegates. Many people made important contributions, but James Madison is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution" because many of his ideas made their way into the final document.
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The Philadelphia Convention
The Constitution was written and signed in Philadelphia in 1787. It was written during the Philadelphia Convention, also known as the Constitutional Convention, which took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and two days later, it was published in a newspaper, The Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser.
The Constitution is the world's shortest and oldest national constitution. It is a charter of government that was ratified by the states and continues to be the supreme law of the land. The preamble sets the stage for the Constitution, clearly communicating the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document. It is not the law itself, but it introduces the highest law of the land.
The Constitution was written in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. This was the same place where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The National Constitution Center owns a rare, original copy of the first public printing of the Constitution.
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James Madison's ideas
The preamble comes first in the Constitution. It is an introduction to the highest law of the land, and it sets the stage for the Constitution. It was drafted in six weeks during the hot Philadelphia summer of 1787.
James Madison is often referred to as the 'Father of the Constitution' because many of his ideas made their way into the document. He was a driving force of the convention throughout the summer of 1787, and his notes of the deliberations have provided valuable insights into the proceedings.
Madison believed that the preamble should be expressed by words distinctly and exclusively appropriated to the ideas. He thought that the preamble should be accurate and that the ideas should be distinctly formed. He also believed that the preamble should reflect three critical understandings that the Framers had about the Constitution. Firstly, the preamble specified the source of the federal government's sovereignty as being the people.
Madison also believed that neither side would entirely yield to the other, and consequently, the struggle could be terminated only by compromise.
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The Committee of Detail
The preamble comes first in the US Constitution. It is an introduction to the highest law of the land, setting the stage for the Constitution and communicating the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document. It is not the law itself, and does not define government powers or individual rights.
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Frequently asked questions
Freedom.
Establish Justice.
The Preamble.
James Madison.
Philadelphia, in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall.
