Jonah Patel
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The four-page document was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787 and established the government of the United States. The Constitution lays out the framework of the nation's federal government and delineates how its three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) are to function. The signing of the Constitution is commemorated annually on Constitution Day, a federal observance established by law in 2004.
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What You'll Learn
The Library of Congress holds the US Constitution
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps, and manuscripts in its collections. It is home to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the primary research arm of the United States Congress. The Library of Congress holds the US Constitution, which is periodically revised and updated by the attorneys in the CRS under the direction of the Librarian of Congress. This is in accordance with the statutory mandate given to the Librarian of Congress by Congress.
The Constitution Annotated, which is housed at the Library of Congress, serves as a fundamental resource for educating the public through non-partisan and objective analysis. It provides a wealth of information on constitutional law and the US Constitution, including notable cases such as Gutierrez v. Saenz, where a Texas death-row inmate challenged the constitutionality of a Texas law regarding post-conviction DNA testing. Another case referenced in the Constitution Annotated is Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, which involves a challenge to a Texas law requiring age verification on websites with content unsuitable for minors.
The Library of Congress's website offers a comprehensive overview of the US Constitution, with sections dedicated to the Constitution Annotated. This resource provides valuable insights into the rights and responsibilities outlined in the Constitution, such as the restrictions on holding the office of President, as well as the powers and responsibilities of Congress. Additionally, it clarifies the role of the judiciary, including the compensation and tenure of judges.
The Library of Congress, as the custodian of the US Constitution, plays a vital role in making this important document accessible to the public. Through its comprehensive website and educational mission, the Library ensures that individuals can learn about their constitutional rights and explore the rich history of the United States' founding document.
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The Virginia Constitution was drafted in May 1776
The Virginia Constitution, drafted in May 1776 and adopted on June 29, 1776, was enacted at the time of the Declaration of Independence by the first thirteen states of the United States of America. It was the first state to adopt its own constitution, and the document was highly influential both within the United States and internationally.
The Virginia Constitution of 1776 established the powers of a governor, the Council of State, and the General Assembly, independent of Great Britain. It also created a bicameral Virginia General Assembly, serving as the legislative body of the state, and established the Governor of Virginia as the "chief magistrate" or executive.
The accompanying Virginia Declaration of Rights, written primarily by Mason, focused on guaranteeing basic human rights and freedoms, and the fundamental purpose of government. It served as a model for several other historic documents, including the United States Bill of Rights. The 1776 Constitution also limited the right to vote primarily to property owners and wealthy men, concentrating power among landowners and the aristocracy of Southeastern Virginia.
Thomas Jefferson, Virginia's representative to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia at the time, submitted his drafts of the Virginia Constitution too late for them to be incorporated into the final document. James Madison, another key figure in the drafting of the Virginia Constitution, would go on to become one of the main architects of the United States Constitution.
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The Federalist Papers supported the Constitution
The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the collective pseudonym "Publius". The essays were written to promote the ratification of the Constitution of the United States, specifically in New York, and appeared in New York newspapers between October 1787 and August 1788.
The Federalist Papers are an important collection because they offer insight into the intentions of key individuals who debated the elements of the Constitution. The papers were written in response to the Anti-Federalist Papers, which were a series of articles and public letters that criticised the new Constitution. Hamilton, Jay, and Madison recruited collaborators and wrote under assumed names to hide their identities, as they had attended the convention.
The first 77 essays of The Federalist Papers were published serially in the Independent Journal, the New York Packet, and The Daily Advertiser. The last eight papers (Nos. 78–85) were republished in the New York newspapers between June 14 and August 16, 1788. In 1788, the essays were published in two volumes entitled "The Federalist".
The Federalist Papers are also significant because they provide a glimpse into the political and philosophical thoughts of the time. They cover a range of topics, including the structure of the federal government, the separation of powers, and the importance of a strong central government. The papers are considered a primary source of interpretation for the U.S. Constitution and have influenced how the document has been understood and applied throughout history.
In addition to their historical and political significance, The Federalist Papers are also notable for their literary merit. They are well-written and eloquently argued, demonstrating the authors' intelligence and passion for their cause. The papers have had a lasting impact on American political thought and continue to be studied and referenced today.
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The Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution
The Anti-Federalists were a late-18th-century political movement that opposed the creation of a stronger US federal government and the ratification of the 1787 Constitution. Led by Patrick Henry of Virginia, they believed that the new Constitution consolidated too much power in the hands of Congress and the unitary president, at the expense of states' rights. They also believed that the unitary executive of the president resembled a monarch and that this resemblance would eventually produce courts of intrigue in the nation's capital.
Anti-Federalists generally agreed on a few things. Firstly, they believed that the liberties of the people were best protected when power resided in state governments, as opposed to a federal one. They also believed that without a Bill of Rights, the federal government would become tyrannous. They wanted a weak central government, the direct election of government officials, short term limits for officeholders, and the strengthening of individual liberties. The Anti-Federalists included small farmers and landowners, shopkeepers, and labourers. They believed that a large central government would not serve the interests of small towns and rural areas.
The Anti-Federalists mobilized against the Constitution in state legislatures across the country. In Massachusetts, arguments between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists erupted in a physical brawl between Elbridge Gerry and Francis Dana. Sensing that Anti-Federalist sentiment would sink ratification efforts, James Madison reluctantly agreed to draft a list of rights that the new federal government could not encroach. The Bill of Rights is a list of 10 constitutional amendments that secure the basic rights and privileges of American citizens. They include the right to free speech, the right to a speedy trial, the right to due process under the law, and protections against cruel and unusual punishments.
The Anti-Federalists' opposition to ratifying the Constitution was a powerful force in the origin of the Bill of Rights to protect Americans' civil liberties. Their opposition led to the adoption of the First Amendment and the other nine amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights.
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The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are milestones in American history
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are indeed milestones in American history. The Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, marked the 13 American colonies' severance of political connections to Great Britain. It summarized the colonists' motivations for seeking independence and allowed for recognition of the United States by friendly foreign governments. The Declaration expressed the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for separation from Great Britain, including disagreements over taxation and frontier policy.
Benjamin Franklin, a member of the Secret Committee of Correspondence, played a significant role in the lead-up to the Declaration of Independence. In late 1775, he hinted to French agents and other European sympathizers about the colonies' growing desire for independence, with the aim of securing French aid for the colonists. Franklin, along with John Adams, reviewed Jefferson's draft of the Declaration, making changes to remove controversial passages that blamed King George III for the transatlantic slave trade and the British people for the policies.
The Constitution, designed by architect John Russell Pope, is an important document that serves as a shrine to American democracy. It is depicted in a mural by Barry Faulkner in the ornate Rotunda, which also features a mural of the presentation of the Declaration of Independence. These documents, known as the Charters of Freedom, have secured the rights of Americans for centuries and are considered fundamental to the founding and philosophy of the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution is a document that defines the system of government in a country.
The US Constitution is housed in the Library of Congress, along with other important documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address.
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
The Library of Congress is the research library for the United States Congress and the de facto national library of the United States. It holds a vast collection of historical documents, books, and artifacts.
Some treasures include the Virginia Constitution drafted by Thomas Jefferson in May 1776, and Amos Doolittle's "The Looking Glass for 1787," an artwork symbolizing the divide between the Federals and the Antifederals during the debate over the adoption of the Constitution.
