Isabella Carter
The original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. These documents, known as the Charters of Freedom, have secured the rights of Americans for over two centuries and are considered fundamental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. The Declaration of Independence, expressing the ideals upon which the nation was founded and its separation from Great Britain, was signed on July 4, 1776. The Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written national constitution, was drafted and signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, and became operational in 1789. It has since been amended 27 times. Together, these documents represent the aspirations and rights of We the People of the United States, establishing a framework for a more perfect union, justice, domestic tranquility, common defence, general welfare, and liberty.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Declaration of Independence | The original is kept in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum |
| Constitution | The original is kept in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum |
| Preamble | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
- The Declaration of Independence is stored at the National Archives Museum
- The Constitution is transcribed by Jacob Shallus and displayed at the National Archives Museum
- The Preamble's origins predate the US Constitution
- The Preamble does not define government powers or individual rights
- The Preamble outlines six broad purposes
The Declaration of Independence is stored at the National Archives Museum
The Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, but it is a powerful document that has influenced other important texts, such as the Bill of Rights. The document has undergone conservation efforts over the years, including in 1820 when it was already showing signs of age. At that time, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams commissioned printer William J. Stone to make a full-size copperplate engraving. This plate was used to print copies of the Declaration, and the 1823 Stone engraving is the most frequently reproduced version.
The National Archives Museum also houses the Constitution of the United States, transcribed by Jacob Shallus and on display alongside the Declaration of Independence. The Constitution outlines the legislative powers granted to Congress, including the power to declare war, raise and support armies, and define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas. It establishes a government of the people and outlines the objectives and intentions of the framers.
The Preamble to the Constitution, which is not legally binding, sets the stage for the document and communicates the aspirations of "We the People" for our government and way of life as a nation. The Preamble to the Declaration of Independence serves a similar function, providing an introduction to the document and outlining the grievances against British rule that led to the colonies' independence.
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The Constitution is transcribed by Jacob Shallus and displayed at the National Archives Museum
The original United States Constitution is transcribed by Jacob Shallus and displayed in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum. The spelling and punctuation of the transcribed document reflect the original. The preamble of the Constitution, which sets the stage for the document, communicates the intentions of its framers and outlines its purpose. It was drafted in six weeks during the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia. The preamble was later modified after the initial draft was passed by the delegates. The Constitution's introduction articulates six broad purposes, all grounded in the historical experiences of being governed under the Articles of Confederation.
The Constitution of the United States is the highest law of the land. It establishes a government of the people and outlines the framework for the nation's legal system. The document on display at the National Archives Museum is a testament to the country's founding principles and a reminder of the aspirations that "We the People" have for our government and way of life as a nation. The preamble to the Constitution is not legally binding but serves as an introduction to the document.
The original Constitution is carefully preserved and protected at the National Archives Museum, ensuring its accessibility to the public while maintaining its integrity for future generations. The museum plays a crucial role in safeguarding this significant piece of history and providing educational opportunities for visitors to learn about the country's founding documents and their impact on the nation's legal and political landscape.
The transcription of the Constitution by Jacob Shallus is a meticulous reproduction of the original document. The Rotunda at the National Archives Museum provides a fitting setting for displaying this important artifact, allowing visitors to appreciate its historical significance and the efforts made to preserve the nation's foundational texts.
The National Archives Museum holds a wealth of historical knowledge and plays a vital role in preserving the country's founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, which was also preserved and displayed at the museum. The museum serves as a repository of knowledge, offering insights into the nation's history and the evolution of its legal and governmental framework.
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The Preamble's origins predate the US Constitution
The origins of the Preamble to the US Constitution predate the document itself. The Preamble was drafted in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787, six weeks before the Constitution was finalised. The Preamble sets the tone and intention of the Constitution, but it is not legally binding. It is an introduction to the highest law of the land, but it does not define government powers or individual rights.
The Preamble's origins can be traced back to the Declaration of Independence of 1776, which was influenced by the Virginia Declaration of Rights. The Declaration of Independence includes the famous line: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." This line encapsulates the principles on which the American government and identity are based.
The Preamble also draws on several English laws that undergird American understandings of constitutional rights, including the Petition of Rights of 1628, the Habeas Corpus Act of 1679, the Bill of Rights of 1689, and the Act of Settlement of 1701. These laws included prefatory text that explained the law's objects and historical impetus. The tradition of including a legal preamble continued in the New World, with the Declarations and Resolves of the First Continental Congress in 1774, which included a preamble outlining the grievances of the thirteen colonies against British rule.
The initial draft of the Preamble to the Constitution, released by the Committee of Detail on August 6, 1787, stated: "We the People of the States of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, do ordain, declare and establish the following Constitution for the Government of Ourselves and our Posterity." This draft was passed unanimously by the delegates, but it underwent significant changes after it was referred to the Committee of Style on September 8, 1787. The final version of the Preamble, as we know it today, specifies six broad purposes, all grounded in the historical experiences of being governed under the Articles of Confederation.
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The Preamble does not define government powers or individual rights
The Preamble to the US Constitution is an introductory statement that sets the stage for the Constitution and communicates the intentions of its framers. While it is an important part of the document, it does not confer or delineate powers of the government or rights of citizens. Instead, the Preamble expresses the core values that the Constitution aims to achieve, including democratic government, effective governance, justice, freedom, and equality. It is not meant to be a substantive provision and should not be interpreted as granting powers or rights.
The Preamble to the US Constitution begins with the famous words, "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." This statement embodies the aspirations that "We the People" have for their government and their way of life as a nation. It reflects the desire for a government that will meet the needs of its people and uphold values such as justice, liberty, and welfare.
While the Preamble does not confer powers or rights directly, it does have legal force and interpretive significance. It declares the enactment of the provisions that follow in the main body of the Constitution. The Preamble's reference to the "United States of America" has been interpreted to explain the nature of the federal government created by the Constitution. It recognises the federal government's sovereignty and supreme power over specific matters, while also acknowledging the concept of "State sovereignty" in certain areas, such as the administration of criminal justice.
The Preamble's role is to provide context and purpose to the Constitution, rather than define specific powers or rights. The substantive provisions and amendments in the main body of the Constitution outline the powers of the government and the rights of citizens. These are the sections of the document that courts refer to when interpreting the law and making legal decisions. The Preamble, while influential in shaping the interpretation of the Constitution, is not sufficient on its own to grant or restrict powers or rights.
The distinction between the Preamble and the substantive provisions is important to understand the role of each part in the Constitution. The Preamble sets the tone and intent, while the substantive articles and amendments provide the legal framework and specifics of how the government should function and how citizens' rights are protected. This separation ensures that the Preamble's aspirational goals do not contradict or expand upon the concrete terms outlined in the main body of the Constitution.
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The Preamble outlines six broad purposes
The Preamble to the US Constitution is an introductory statement that outlines the intentions and purposes of the document. It is not a law itself, but it sets the stage for the Constitution and communicates the fundamental values that should guide its interpretation and application. The Preamble was drafted by the Framers in six weeks during the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia.
- "Establish Justice": This refers to the intention to create a fair and just society, where justice is accessible and upheld for all.
- "Insure domestic Tranquility": This reflects the desire to ensure peace and order within the nation, promoting stability and harmony among the people.
- "Provide for the common defence": This states the commitment to establish a strong defence system to protect the nation from external threats and ensure the safety of its citizens.
- "Promote the general Welfare": This indicates the aim to enhance the overall well-being of the people, including economic, social, and cultural aspects of their lives.
- "Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity": This expresses the desire to protect individual freedoms and ensure that liberty is passed on to future generations. The Framers believed that the structure of the government they were creating would inherently ensure liberty.
- "Form a more perfect Union": This reflects the aspiration to create a unified nation, bringing together diverse states and people under a single constitution.
These purposes, proclaimed by "We the People of the United States", form the foundation upon which the Constitution is built and serve as a guide for interpreting and applying the specific powers and rights outlined in the document. While the Preamble is not a source of substantive power for the government, it plays a crucial role in understanding the intentions and values that underpin the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
The originals of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and its Preamble are kept in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.
The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States reads:
> "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
The Preamble sets the stage for the Constitution by clearly communicating the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document. It specifies the source of the federal government's sovereignty as being the people.
The Preamble is an introduction to the Constitution, which is the highest law of the land. It is not a law itself, but it outlines the broad purposes of the Constitution, which are grounded in the historical experience of being governed under the Articles of Confederation.
The Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, but it states the principles on which the US government and identity are based. It provided the foundation for the Bill of Rights and influenced the Constitution, which was drafted later.
