Simone Lawson
The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, was the national document that preceded the US Constitution. It expressed the ideals on which the United States was founded and proclaimed the separation of the American colonies from British rule. Thomas Jefferson, the principal author, drafted the document in 17 days. The Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are collectively known as the Charters of Freedom, which established the structure of the US government and secured the rights of American citizens. The US Constitution, written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, is the world's longest-surviving written charter of government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Written | July 4, 1776 |
| Author | Thomas Jefferson |
| Date of Adoption | N/A |
| Purpose | To proclaim the separation of the American colonies from British rule and detail the reasons for this |
| Amendments | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
The Declaration of Independence
Today, the original Declaration of Independence is housed in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom in the National Archives. The Rotunda, designed by architect John Russell Pope, features two murals by Barry Faulkner, depicting fictional scenes of the "presentations" of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
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Separation from Great Britain
The Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom. These documents established the structure of the US government and secured the rights of American citizens.
The Declaration of Independence, principally authored by Thomas Jefferson, proclaimed the separation of the American colonies from British rule and detailed the reasons for this separation. On July 4, 1776, Congress voted to accept the Declaration of Independence, marking July 4 as Independence Day. The Declaration expressed the ideals on which the United States was founded and outlined the reasons for severing ties with Great Britain.
The Declaration of Independence underwent a tumultuous journey during the Revolutionary War years. It was carried from town to town by the Continental Congress, exposed to damaging sunlight, and subjected to early reproduction attempts, resulting in its fragile state today.
The US Constitution, written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and operational since 1789, established the foundation of the US government, outlining its purpose and structure. The Constitutional Convention adopted the Constitution on September 17, 1787. The Federalist Papers, written in 1787 and 1788, explored how the American government might function under the new Constitution.
The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was ratified in 1791. It guarantees essential rights and liberties and places specific limits on government power.
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The Bill of Rights
The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted on July 4, 1776, proclaimed the separation of the American colonies from British rule. It detailed the reasons for this separation and marked the beginning of American independence. This date is now celebrated annually as Independence Day.
The US Constitution, written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, established the foundation of the US government, outlining its purpose and structure. The Constitution has been amended 27 times in total, with the first ten amendments comprising the Bill of Rights.
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Amendments to the Constitution
The Declaration of Independence, which preceded the US Constitution, was adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776, marking the birth of American independence from Great Britain.
The US Constitution has been amended 27 times since it was put into operation on March 4, 1789. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791, and guarantee greater protection for individual freedoms and specific limits on government power.
The process of amending the Constitution is a rigorous one. Approximately 11,848 proposals to amend the Constitution have been introduced in Congress since 1789, with members of the House and Senate proposing around 200 amendments during each two-year term of Congress. However, only 27 amendments have been successfully ratified by the requisite number of states and have become part of the Constitution.
The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments are collectively known as the Reconstruction Amendments, while the 21st Amendment, ratified in 1933, is unique in that it explicitly repeals the 18th Amendment, ending the prohibition of alcohol.
Six amendments have been adopted by Congress and sent to the states but have not been ratified by the required number of states. Four of these are still pending, while the other two have failed by their own terms or the terms of the resolution proposing them.
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The Federalist Papers
The Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed the separation of the American colonies from British rule, was the national document that preceded the US Constitution. Written by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence was voted on and approved by Congress on July 4, 1776, marking the birth of the United States of America and the beginning of American independence from Great Britain. This date is now celebrated annually as Independence Day.
The rapid pace of publication, with three to four new essays appearing in a single week, contributed to the impact of The Federalist Papers. The authors also encouraged reprinting in newspapers outside New York, ensuring a wider reach for their arguments. The high demand for the essays led to their publication in bound volumes, further extending their influence.
Today, The Federalist Papers continue to be important as a resource for interpreting the intentions of the drafters of the Constitution. They provide valuable insights into the thinking and goals of the Founding Fathers, and their influence can be seen in the structure and principles of American political institutions.
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Frequently asked questions
The Declaration of Independence preceded the US Constitution.
The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for separation from Great Britain.
Thomas Jefferson, the principal author, drafted the Declaration of Independence in 17 days. It was written in 1776.
The original Declaration of Independence is located in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom in the National Archives.
The Charters of Freedom are the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights.
