Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use. It was written in 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by 55 delegates to a Constitutional Convention. The document is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, and was inscribed on parchment by Jacob Shallus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Parchment |
| Author | Jacob Shallus |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was written on parchment
The US Constitution, the oldest written national constitution still in use, was written on parchment. The document was inscribed by Jacob Shallus and is on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.
The Constitution was written in the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by 55 delegates to a Constitutional Convention. It was signed by 39 members of the convention on September 17, 1787, and submitted for ratification. The document was ratified by nine states, as required by Article VII, and Congress set March 4, 1789, as the date for the new government to commence proceedings.
The Constitution was authored as a framework for the United States government. It defines the principal organs of government and their jurisdictions, as well as the basic rights of citizens. The document begins with the words "We the People" and is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments.
The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were proposed by Congress in September 1789, and 10 were ratified by the states. Their adoption was certified on December 15, 1791. These amendments include protections against cruel and unusual punishment and the prohibition of the federal government from forcing individuals to provide lodging to soldiers during peacetime without consent.
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The document is on display at the National Archives Museum
The US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use. It was written in 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by 55 delegates to a Constitutional Convention. The document is on display at the National Archives Museum.
The Constitution is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. The document was inscribed on parchment by Jacob Shallus and is displayed in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum. The spelling and punctuation of the document reflect the original.
The US Constitution defines the principal organs of government and their jurisdictions, as well as the basic rights of citizens. It was created as a framework for the US government, with the intention of addressing the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, which had attempted to retain as much independence and sovereignty for the states as possible. The Articles of Confederation had deprived the national government of essential powers, including direct taxation and the ability to regulate interstate commerce.
The Constitution establishes a bicameral legislature with a Senate and a House of Representatives. It outlines the process for amending the document, which involves two steps: adoption and ratification. Amendments can be proposed by Congress or by a national convention, and they must be ratified by three-fourths of the states.
The document on display at the National Archives Museum is a testament to the history and evolution of the United States as a nation. It serves as a reminder of the efforts made to establish a more perfect union, ensure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty for all Americans.
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The Constitution has 27 amendments
The US Constitution has 27 amendments, the first 10 of which are known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, and guarantee various freedoms and rights to the American people.
The first eight amendments concern the rights of citizens, such as freedom of speech, press, and religion, the right to bear arms, protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and protection from cruel and unusual punishment. The Ninth Amendment declares that individuals have other fundamental rights beyond those stated in the Constitution.
The Tenth Amendment reserves powers to the states and the people that are not given to the US government under the Constitution. It also establishes state sovereign immunity, protecting states from being sued by out-of-state citizens or foreigners.
The Eleventh Amendment, ratified in 1795, clarifies the procedure for electing the president and vice president and forbids slavery and involuntary servitude. It also includes the Equal Protection Clause, Due Process Clause, and Citizenship Clause.
The Twelfth Amendment, or the "lame duck amendment," establishes the dates for the start of terms for Congress and the President. It also repeals the Eighteenth Amendment, allowing state laws over alcohol to remain in place, and limits the terms that an individual can be elected as president to two terms.
The Thirteenth Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery and prohibited involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.
The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves. It also prohibited states from denying any person life, liberty, or property without due process of law and from denying equal protection of the laws.
The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in 1870, prohibited the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
The remaining amendments address various topics, including election procedures, term limits, and the rights of citizens in the District of Columbia. The amendment process involves two steps: proposals for amendments must be adopted and ratified before they become part of the Constitution.
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It outlines the judicial power of the US
The US Constitution is a collection of laws and principles that outline the country's government system and the rights of its citizens. It is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, with the first 10 amendments known as the Bill of Rights.
The Constitution outlines the judicial power of the US in Article III, which establishes the judicial branch of the government. This article states that the judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme court and such inferior courts as Congress may establish from time to time. The judges of these courts are to hold their offices during good behaviour and receive compensation for their services, which cannot be diminished during their continuance in office.
The judicial power extends to all cases in law and equity arising under the Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made under their authority. It also covers cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, as well as cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, and in cases in which a state is a party. In all other cases mentioned, the Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction.
The Congress shall have the power to declare the punishment for treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted. The Constitution also outlines the process for amending errors, which involves two steps: adoption and ratification. Proposals to amend the Constitution must be properly adopted and ratified before they can change it.
The judicial power of the US, as outlined in the Constitution, has been interpreted and used as a guide by the Supreme Court and other federal courts. The Supreme Court has also used judicial review to interpret the Constitution among individuals, states, and federal branches.
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The Constitution establishes the legislative powers of the US
The US Constitution is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first of these articles establishes the legislative powers of the US government. This article outlines the design of the legislative branch of the US government, which is the Congress.
The legislative powers are vested in the Congress of the United States, which consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is made up of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states. Each state's number of representatives is proportionate to its total population. The Senate, on the other hand, is composed of two Senators from each state, chosen by the state legislature for a term of six years. Each Senator holds one vote, and the Senate collectively chooses its officers and a President pro tempore. The Vice President of the United States serves as President of the Senate but holds no vote unless the votes are equally divided.
The Congress has the sole authority to enact legislation and declare war. It also has the right to confirm or reject Presidential appointments and possesses substantial investigative powers. Congress can also mandate spending on specific items, such as legislatively directed spending, commonly known as "earmarks."
The Constitution enumerates the powers of Congress and the specific areas in which it may legislate. Congress is empowered to enact laws deemed necessary and proper for executing the powers given to any part of the government under the Constitution. This includes the establishment of an annual budget, levying taxes, and borrowing money if needed.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution is inscribed on parchment.
Jacob Shallus wrote the US Constitution.
The US Constitution is kept in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.
"We the People".
The US Constitution consists of a Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments.
