Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution, the oldest written national constitution in use, is housed in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. The Founding Documents, also known as the Charters of Freedom, establish the principles of the United States and have inspired the American people to pursue a more perfect union for almost 250 years. The Constitution, written in Philadelphia in 1787, establishes a stronger central government with powers split among three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Rotunda of the National Archives Building, 701 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20408 |
| Visiting hours | 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. daily |
| Admission | Free |
| Founding Documents | Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution is kept in the National Archives in Washington, DC
- The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom is where the US Constitution is displayed
- The US Constitution is free to view
- The US Constitution is one of the founding documents of the United States
- The US Constitution is also known as the Charters of Freedom
The US Constitution is kept in the National Archives in Washington, DC
The US Constitution is a crucial document in the history of the United States, and as such, it is carefully preserved for posterity. The US Constitution is kept in the National Archives in Washington, DC, where it is stored securely and made accessible to the public.
The National Archives is an institution dedicated to preserving and providing access to the historical records of the United States government. It is located in the nation's capital, Washington, DC, and serves as a repository for some of the most important documents in American history. The Archives are home to a vast collection of records, including those of all three branches of the federal government: Congress, the Supreme Court, and the President.
The US Constitution is one of the most significant documents housed within the National Archives. It is the supreme law of the land, outlining the framework of the federal government and the rights and responsibilities of its citizens. The Constitution has been amended numerous times since its ratification in 1788, and these amendments are also appended to the original document.
The National Archives offers a variety of resources and exhibits to educate visitors about the Constitution and its history. Visitors can view the Constitution in its original form, handwritten on parchment, and explore the amendments that have been made over time. The Archives also provide educational programmes, interactive galleries, and rare artifacts that bring the history of the Constitution to life.
The preservation of the US Constitution in the National Archives ensures that this foundational document remains accessible and relevant to Americans and scholars alike. The Archives serve as a testament to the nation's history, providing a space for education, research, and reflection on the principles upon which the country was built.
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The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom is where the US Constitution is displayed
The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom is the final resting place for the US Constitution. Located in Washington, D.C., the Rotunda is a large, circular room that houses the founding documents of the United States, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The room is designed to inspire a sense of awe and respect for these important documents, with marble floors, columns, and a domed ceiling.
At the centre of the Rotunda is a display case containing the Constitution. The document is protected by special glass and lighting designed to preserve its fragile parchment pages. Visitors can view the Constitution up close and see the original text, including the famous opening words, "We the People". The document is displayed alongside other important artefacts, such as the quill pen used to sign the Constitution and the original inkwell.
The Rotunda also features interactive exhibits and educational programs that bring the Constitution to life. Visitors can learn about the history of the document, the people who authored it, and its impact on the United States today. The National Constitution Center, which oversees the Rotunda, offers live virtual classes, interactive online events, and educational videos that explore the Constitution and its relevance to modern times.
The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom is a place of great significance to the United States, honouring the founding documents that shaped the nation. By displaying the Constitution in a public setting, the Rotunda provides an opportunity for people to connect with their history and gain a deeper understanding of the country's core values and principles. It serves as a reminder of the hard-fought freedoms and rights that the Constitution guarantees.
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The US Constitution is free to view
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, and has since been amended 27 times. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, protect individual liberty and justice and restrict government powers. The majority of the 17 later amendments expand civil rights protections.
The Constitution is free to view at the National Constitution Center, where you can experience it through rare artifacts, historic documents, interactive galleries, and live programming. The Center's newest gallery offers a fresh perspective on the history of the First Amendment and its modern-day impact. Visitors can sign the Constitution alongside 42 life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers in Signers' Hall. The Center also offers virtual classes, online events, and educational videos on a range of topics related to the Constitution.
The original US Constitution was handwritten on five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus. It includes seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. The first three articles embody the separation of powers, dividing the government into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The legislative branch consists of the bicameral Congress, the executive branch of the President and subordinate officers, and the judicial branch of the Supreme Court and other federal courts.
The Constitution's opening words, "We the People," represent the idea that the people, not the states, are the source of the government's legitimacy. This phrase was coined by Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania, who chaired the convention's Committee of Style. The Constitution has influenced the constitutions of other nations and continues to be a living document interpreted and implemented by federal constitutional law.
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The US Constitution is one of the founding documents of the United States
The US Constitution was influenced by the study of the Magna Carta and other federations, both ancient and modern. The Due Process Clause, for instance, was based on common law and the Magna Carta, which became the foundation for English liberty against the arbitrary power of a ruler. The 18th-century Enlightenment philosophers, such as Montesquieu and John Locke, also inspired the inherent idea of the separation of powers in the Constitution.
The opening words of the Constitution, "We the People", represent the idea that the people, not the states, are the source of the government's legitimacy. This phrase was coined by Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania, who chaired the convention's Committee of Style. The Constitution has been a notable model for governance worldwide, influencing the constitutions of other nations through similarities in phrasing and borrowed passages, as well as through the principles of the rule of law, separation of powers, and recognition of individual rights.
The National Archives house all four pages of the original US Constitution, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, which are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom. The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the Constitution, outlining citizens' and states' rights in relation to the government. The National Constitution Center also offers visitors the opportunity to experience the Constitution through rare artifacts, historic documents, interactive galleries, and live programming.
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The US Constitution is also known as the Charters of Freedom
The US Constitution is a critical document in the history of the world, outlining the basic framework of the federal government and the rights and freedoms of the American people. It is the supreme law of the United States of America, superseding the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, in 1789. The Constitution has been amended 27 times since it came into force, with the first ten amendments collectively known as the Bill of Rights, protecting individual liberty and justice and restricting government powers.
The US Constitution is also known as one of the Charters of Freedom, a term referring to three documents considered fundamental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. The Charters of Freedom include the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These documents are housed in a room called the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. The Rotunda, designed by architect John Russell Pope, features a soaring domed ceiling adorned with two murals by Barry Faulkner, depicting the "presentations" of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
The Charters of Freedom are preserved and displayed in sealed, bombproof, and moisture-controlled cases during the day and stored in multi-ton bomb-proof vaults at night, ensuring their protection. The documents are flanked by Faulkner's grand murals, one featuring Thomas Jefferson with the Continental Congress and the other showcasing James Madison at the Constitutional Convention. The Rotunda also includes a dual display of the "Formation of the Union," showcasing documents related to the evolution of the US government between 1774 and 1791, such as the Articles of Association, the Treaty of Paris, and Washington's First Inaugural Address.
The National Archives Building, completed in 1935, serves as the permanent home of these foundational documents, providing public access while ensuring their preservation for future generations. The Constitution, along with other historical artifacts and documents, can be experienced through interactive galleries and programming at the National Constitution Center, offering a dynamic understanding of America's founding principles and their ongoing significance.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution is located in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC.
The Founding Documents, also known as the Charters of Freedom, are the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
The Founding Documents establish the principles of the United States and have inspired the American people to pursue a more perfect union for almost 250 years.
The US Constitution is the fundamental law of the US federal system of government and a landmark document of the Western world. It is the oldest written national constitution in use.
