Jonah Patel
The United States Constitution is over 235 years old. The Constitution, composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. The Constitution has been amended several times throughout its history, with the most recent amendment being the 27th, which was added in 1992. The Constitution outlines the US judicial system and serves as the framework for the US government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing | 17 September 1787 |
| Date of ratification | 21 June 1788 |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| Number of articles | 7 |
| First 10 amendments | The Bill of Rights |
| First amendment | 15 December 1791 |
| Thirteenth Amendment | 1865 |
| Fourteenth Amendment | 1868 |
| Number of states required for ratification | 38 |
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Amendments
The US Constitution is over 2 centuries old, with the seven articles that make up its structural constitution being signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. There have been 27 amendments in total to the Constitution.
The Thirteenth Amendment (1865) abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime, and authorized Congress to enforce abolition. The Fourteenth Amendment (1868) granted US citizenship to former slaves and to all persons "subject to U.S. jurisdiction". The 17th Amendment, which instituted the popular election of senators, passed in Congress after members were spooked by the growing movement to address the issue via a convention of states.
Over the years, Supreme Court decisions on issues ranging from governmental regulation of radio and television to the rights of those accused in criminal cases have changed the way many constitutional clauses are interpreted, without amendment to the actual text of the Constitution. The power of judicial review could not have been preserved long in a democracy unless it had been "wielded with a reasonable measure of judicial restraint, and with some attention [...] to the election returns."
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Judicial review
The US Constitution, composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. The Constitution has since undergone several amendments, the latest being the abolition of slavery and involuntary servitude in 1865.
The Supreme Court, as the highest court in the land, serves as the final arbiter for those seeking justice. Its power of judicial review is essential for maintaining the balance of power between the branches of government. The Court ensures that each branch recognises the limits of its authority and that the rights and liberties of citizens are protected.
While the Supreme Court has the authority to declare laws unconstitutional, it must exercise restraint and respect the Separation of Powers doctrine. This means that while interpreting the law and determining its constitutionality, the Court cannot usurp the legislative duty to create laws. The Court controls its business by choosing which cases to consider, allowing it to avoid difficult or controversial issues.
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The Bill of Rights
The US Constitution is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments, proposed in 1789, are known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to address the objections raised by Anti-Federalists, who wanted power to remain with state and local governments and favoured a bill of rights to safeguard individual liberty.
The first amendment states:
> Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abriding the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The second amendment states:
> A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
The third amendment states:
> No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
The fourth amendment states:
> The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
The ninth amendment states:
> The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The tenth amendment states:
> The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
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Ratification
The US Constitution, composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, is over 235 years old. The seven articles make up the structural constitution, which was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights, which was ratified on December 15, 1791.
The process of ratification involves approving and enacting a proposed amendment to the Constitution. For an amendment to become an official part of the Constitution, it must be ratified by at least three-fourths of the states, currently 38 out of 50 states. Once ratified by the required number of states, there is no further action needed. The Office of the Federal Register verifies the receipt of authenticated ratification documents and drafts a formal proclamation for the Archivist to certify the amendment's validity. This certification is published in the Federal Register and serves as official notice to Congress and the nation that the ratification process is complete.
The US Constitution has a robust amendment process, with 27 amendments successfully added to date. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and include essential rights and freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. The Thirteenth Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, marking a significant step towards equality. The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, granted citizenship to former slaves and ensured equal protection under the law.
The ratification process has been a mechanism for adapting the Constitution to the evolving needs of American society. For instance, the Seventeenth Amendment, which provided for the popular election of senators, addressed the growing demand for more democratic representation. The amendment process has also been used to address social issues, such as women's suffrage, and to adapt the Constitution to modern circumstances, such as setting the legal drinking age across all states.
While the US Constitution is the most challenging in the world to alter, the amendment and ratification process allows for necessary changes to be made. The ratification process ensures that any changes to the Constitution are widely supported by the states and reflects a careful and deliberate approach to constitutional reform.
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The Electoral College
The U.S. Constitution, composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, is a federal law that sets the drinking age across all fifty states at 21 years. The Constitution outlines the U.S. judicial system, with the Supreme Court holding discretionary jurisdiction.
The second step involves the appointed electors meeting in their respective states in mid-December to cast their votes for President and Vice President. While not required by the Constitution, some states mandate that electors vote for the candidate chosen by their state's popular vote. Electors who deviate from this may face consequences, such as fines or disqualification.
Finally, Congress meets in a joint session in January to count the electoral votes. If no candidate receives a majority of 270 electoral votes, the decision goes to the House of Representatives, as occurred in two instances.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution is over 2 centuries old, having been signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788.
There are 27 amendments to the US Constitution.
The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights.
An amendment becomes part of the US Constitution as soon as it is ratified by three-fourths of the States (currently 38 of the 50 states).
The US Constitution is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. It begins with the words "We the People."
