Omar Bennett
The Constitution of the United States, composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, is considered one of the three most important documents in American history. The original, handwritten copy of the Constitution, beginning with the words We, the People, is on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum. This copy was inscribed on parchment by Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk to the Pennsylvania legislature, and signed by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. The first public printing of the Constitution was in the Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser, America's first successful daily newspaper, with only 25 copies known to have survived.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | The Constitution of the United States |
| Composition | A Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments |
| First 10 Amendments | The Bill of Rights |
| Location of Original Copy | National Archives |
| Transcriber | Jacob Shallus |
| Medium | Parchment |
| Date of Completion | September 17, 1787 |
| Date of Ratification of the Bill of Rights | December 15, 1791 |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution's handwritten copy
The Constitution of the United States of America is a handwritten document that was inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment. It is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, beginning with the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments, which were ratified on December 15, 1791. The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States and outlines the rights and responsibilities of citizens, states, and the Federal Government in relation to each other.
The process of amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V, and it involves two main steps: proposal and ratification. The proposal for an amendment must be adopted by either two-thirds of both houses of Congress or by a national convention requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures. Once the proposal is passed, Congress decides on the method of ratification, which can be either through state legislatures or state ratifying conventions. To date, there have been 27 amendments to the Constitution.
The original handwritten copy of the Constitution is kept in the National Archives, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. These three documents are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom and are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. The National Archives is designed as a shrine to American democracy, featuring a soaring domed ceiling and murals.
The Constitution was drafted at the Constitutional Convention in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The convention was attended by delegates from 12 of the 13 original states, with Rhode Island refusing to send delegates. The initial mandate of the convention was to revise the Articles of Confederation, but the delegates soon began considering measures to replace them entirely. The Constitution was officially signed on September 17, which is now celebrated as Constitution Day.
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The process of amending the Constitution
Once the proposal has been adopted, the second step is to ratify the amendment. Congress decides whether the proposed amendment will be ratified by state legislatures or by state ratifying conventions. The amendment must then be approved by three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50). The proposed amendment, along with the chosen method of ratification, is sent to the Office of the Federal Register, which copies it in slip law format and submits it to the states. The OFR also adds legislative history notes and assembles an information package for the states, which includes formal "red-line" copies of the joint resolution and copies of the joint resolution in slip law format.
When the OFR receives 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. This 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 is complete. The Archivist's certification is a final and conclusive step in the amendment process, and in recent history, the signing of the certification has become a ceremonial function attended by dignitaries, including sometimes the President.
It is important to note that the convention method of proposal has never been used, and the convention method of ratification has only been used once, for the Twenty-first Amendment. The President does not have a constitutional role in the amendment process, and any proposed amendments must have a significant impact on all Americans or secure the rights of citizens.
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The Constitution's first public printing
The United States Constitution was drafted at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The convention was attended by delegates from 12 of the 13 original states, with Rhode Island being the only state that refused to send delegates. The convention's initial goal was to revise the Articles of Confederation, which were ineffective in addressing the young nation's needs. However, the delegates quickly began considering more significant changes.
On September 15, 1787, after all the delegations present had approved the Constitution, the convention ordered it to be engrossed on parchment. Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk to the Pennsylvania legislature, prepared the engrossed copy, which is now on display in the National Archives. This copy was signed on September 17, which is now celebrated as Constitution Day.
Following the engrossment, John Dunlap, a Philadelphia printer, and his partner, David C. Claypoole, were tasked with printing 500 copies of the final text for distribution to the delegates, Congress, and the states. These copies were meant to be reviewed, debated, and amended by the delegates.
The first public printing of the Constitution, referred to as the Pennsylvania Packet Constitution, played a crucial role in disseminating the document to a wider audience. Only 25 copies of this printing are known to have survived, reminding us of the importance of "We the People" in ratifying the Constitution and making it the supreme law of the land.
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The Constitution's role in the Federal Government
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land, and it plays a fundamental role in shaping the country's federal government. It defines the framework of the federal government, establishing its structure, powers, and responsibilities. The Constitution divides the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, each with its own unique roles and duties.
The legislative branch, consisting of Congress, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, holds the power to create and pass laws. The executive branch, led by the President, is responsible for executing and enforcing those laws. The President also serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and has the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States. The judicial branch, including the Supreme Court and other federal courts, interprets the laws and ensures that the Constitution is upheld.
The Constitution outlines the powers and duties of each branch, creating a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from holding too much power. For example, while the President can veto legislation created by Congress, Congress also has the power to override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses. Additionally, Congress plays a crucial role in the presidential nomination process, as it confirms or rejects the President's nominees for heads of federal agencies, federal judges, and the Supreme Court.
Amending the Constitution is a meticulous process, reflecting its significance in the federal government. There are two steps to the amendment process. Firstly, a proposal for an amendment must be adopted by either a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress or a national convention requested by two-thirds of state legislatures. Secondly, the proposed amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states, either through their legislatures or state ratifying conventions. This rigorous process ensures that any changes to the Constitution are carefully considered and widely supported.
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The Constitution's display at the Rotunda
The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom is a room in the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. It is home to the original copies of the three most important documents in American history: the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These documents are considered the Charters of Freedom and are fundamental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. The Rotunda was designed by architect John Russell Pope as a shrine to American democracy, with its soaring domed ceiling and two murals by Barry Faulkner.
The U.S. Constitution on display in the Rotunda is the original parchment document, inscribed by Jacob Shallus. It was transferred to the National Archives in 1952, along with the Declaration of Independence. Before that, the Constitution was held in the Library of Congress, where it was dedicated for public display in 1924. The document has undergone various preservation treatments over the years to ensure its longevity.
The Rotunda reopened to the public in 2003, after a period of renovation. The Charters of Freedom are displayed in massive, bronze-framed, bulletproof, moisture-controlled sealed display cases. The cases are designed to protect the documents, with special light filters and inert helium gas to prevent damage from light, atmosphere, insects, and mould.
The Constitution mural in the Rotunda depicts James Madison presenting the Constitution to George Washington. This mural represents the establishment of the new government in a time of peace and national unity, with a clear sky and the flags of the original 13 states. The display of the original Constitution in the Rotunda allows visitors to view this historic document and learn about the creation of the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. The Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom.
There are two steps in the amendment process. First, the proposal for an amendment must be adopted by either two-thirds of both houses of Congress or a national convention requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures. Second, the proposal must be ratified by three-fourths of the states, either through the consent of state legislatures or state ratifying conventions.
The process is currently overseen by the Archivist of the United States. Previously, it was overseen by the administrator of General Services and, before that, the secretary of state.
The US Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. It is the fundamental law of the land and can only be changed through an extraordinary legislative process of national proposal and state ratification.
