
The Constitution of Pennsylvania was first adopted on September 28, 1776. It was amended in 1874, and again in 1968. The 1874 Constitution was ratified at a special election held on December 16, 1873, and went into effect on January 1, 1874. This Constitution was amended in 1901, 1909, 1911, 1913, 1915, 1918, 1920, 1922, 1923, 1928, 1933, 1937, 1943, 1945, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1963 and 1965.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Ratification | 16 December 1873 |
| Date of Adoption | 3 November 1873 |
| Date of Effect | 1 January 1874 |
| Date of Amendment | 1901, 1909, 1911, 1913, 1915, 1918, 1920, 1922, 1923, 1928, 1933, 1937, 1943, 1945, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967 |
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What You'll Learn

The Constitution of 1874
Section headings were not contained in the Constitution as adopted by referendum of December 16, 1873. They were either added by various constitutional amendments or promulgated on June 11, 1974, P.L.1573, by the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau with the approval of the Attorney General under statutory authority contained in 1 Pa.C.S. § 905.
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The Constitution of 1968
The Constitution of 1874 was amended many times over the years, including in 1901, 1909, 1911, 1913, 1915, 1918, 1920, 1922, 1923, 1928, 1933, 1937, 1943, 1945, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1963 and 1965.
However, the amendments of 1966 and 1967 were particularly significant, as they modified and renumbered the Constitution of 1874 to such an extent that it became known as the Constitution of 1968. The amendments of 1966 were made on May 17 and November 8, while the amendment of 1967 was made on May 16.
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The Constitution of Pennsylvania – September 28, 1776
The Constitution of Pennsylvania was ratified on September 28, 1776.
Section 1 of the Constitution of Pennsylvania states that the commonwealth or state of Pennsylvania shall be governed by an assembly of the representatives of the freemen of the same, and a president and council. The supreme legislative power shall be vested in a house of representatives of the freemen of the commonwealth or state of Pennsylvania. The supreme executive power shall be vested in a president and council.
Courts of justice shall be established in the city of Philadelphia and in every county of the state. The freemen of the commonwealth and their sons shall be trained and armed for its defence under such regulations, restrictions, and exceptions as the general assembly shall by law direct, preserving always to the people the right of choosing their colonels and all commissioned officers under that rank.
The Constitution of Pennsylvania has been amended several times since its ratification in 1776. The most recent amendment was made in 1968, which modified and renumbered the Constitution of 1874 through extensive amendments. The Constitution of 1874 was adopted on November 3, 1873, by a Constitutional Convention and ratified at a special election held on December 16, 1873. It went into effect on January 1, 1874.
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The Constitution of Pennsylvania – Chapter 1
The Constitution of Pennsylvania was first adopted on 28 September 1776. Section 1 of the Constitution states that the commonwealth or state of Pennsylvania shall be governed by an assembly of the representatives of the freemen of the same, and a president and council. The supreme legislative power is vested in a house of representatives of the freemen of the commonwealth or state of Pennsylvania, while the supreme executive power is vested in a president and council.
The Constitution of Pennsylvania was amended several times in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Constitution of 1874 was adopted on 3 November 1873 and ratified at a special election on 16 December 1873. It went into effect on 1 January 1874 and was amended in 1901, 1909, 1911, 1913, 1915, 1918, 1920, 1922, 1923, 1928, 1933, 1937, 1943, 1945, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1963, and 1965.
The Constitution of 1874 was modified and renumbered by extensive amendments in the mid-1960s and was proclaimed by the Governor on 7 July 1967. The Constitution of 1968 was the result of these amendments.
The Constitution of Pennsylvania has a long and complex history, with many changes and amendments made over the years. The original Constitution of 1776 established the basic framework of government for the state, with subsequent amendments refining and updating the document to reflect the changing needs and values of the people of Pennsylvania.
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The Constitution of Pennsylvania – Schedule No. 1
The Constitution of Pennsylvania was adopted on November 3, 1873, by a Constitutional Convention which was called pursuant to the act of April 11, 1872. The Constitution was ratified at a special election held on December 16, 1873, and went into effect on January 1, 1874. This is known as the Constitution of 1874.
The Constitution of 1874 was modified and renumbered by extensive amendments on May 17, 1966, November 8, 1966, and May 16, 1967. It was further amended by proclamation of the Governor on July 7, 1967.
The Constitution of Pennsylvania, Schedule No. 1, was adopted with the Constitution of 1874. This schedule outlines the taxation and finance provisions of the Constitution.
The Constitution of Pennsylvania has a long and complex history, dating back to the state's early days. The first Constitution of Pennsylvania was adopted on September 28, 1776. This Constitution established the state's government and outlined the rights and responsibilities of its citizens. It vested the supreme legislative power in a house of representatives of the freemen of the commonwealth or state of Pennsylvania. It also established courts of justice in the city of Philadelphia and in every county of the state.
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Frequently asked questions
The Pennsylvania Constitution was ratified on December 16, 1873.
The Pennsylvania Constitution came into effect on January 1, 1874.
The Pennsylvania Constitution was adopted on November 3, 1873.

























