Isabella Carter
The Constitution of the United States of America, written in 1787, is the fundamental framework of America's system of government. It is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. The original signed, handwritten Constitution is at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Year | 1787 |
| Month | May to September |
| Day | 17th September |
| Number of Authors | 55 |
| Number of Pages | 4 |
| Type of Government | Democratic |
| Type of Document | Written |
| Ratification | Required by Article VII |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution in use
- The document was drafted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787
- The Constitutional Convention was conducted under an oath of secrecy
- The Constitution separates powers into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial
- The document was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified in 1789
The US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution in use
The US Constitution, written in 1787, is the oldest written national constitution in use. It is also the shortest. The document, which established the government of the United States, was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified by the states in 1789. It is a four-page document that outlines the framework of the federal government, dividing it into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial.
The US Constitution is considered a model of cooperative statesmanship and the art of compromise. It was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, during the summer of 1787. The delegates debated and redrafted the articles of the new Constitution, discussing how much power to allow the central government, how many representatives in Congress to allow each state, and how these representatives should be elected.
The Constitution is neither rigid nor malleable, striking a balance between being stifling and devoid of meaning. It is a powerful vision of freedom, separating the powers of government and setting up a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch has too much power. It also divides power between the states and the federal government and describes the purposes and duties of the government.
While the US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution in use, it is not the oldest constitution in the world. The Constitution of San Marino, enacted in 1600, is the oldest surviving constitution globally. However, it is not a single written document but comprises multiple source documents across centuries. Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand, have constitutional provisions that are older than the US Constitution and are still in force today.
The Constitution's City of Birth: Where History Was Written
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The document was drafted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787
The United States Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787. It is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. The document was signed on September 17, 1787, and established the government of the United States. The original, handwritten Constitution is housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
The Constitution was written during the Philadelphia Convention, now known as the Constitutional Convention, which convened from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The Federal Convention first met in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, with the goal of revising the Articles of Confederation. However, it soon became clear that the Convention would draft an entirely new framework of government rather than amend the existing Articles.
The Constitutional Convention was held under an oath of secrecy, and the delegates debated and redrafted the articles of the new Constitution throughout the summer. The document was the result of political compromise and lengthy discussions on issues such as states' rights, representation, and slavery. The delegates also debated the amount of power to be allocated to the central government and how representatives in Congress should be elected.
The Constitution consists of seven articles, delineating the framework of the federal government. The first three articles embody the separation of powers, dividing the government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The remaining articles outline concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, their relationship to the federal government, and the process of constitutional amendment.
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The Constitutional Convention was conducted under an oath of secrecy
The United States Constitution, written in 1787, is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It is a four-page document that serves as the fundamental framework of America's system of government. The Constitution separates the powers of government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, was conducted under an oath of secrecy. The delegates agreed to observe a strict rule of secrecy, with "nothing spoken in the house to be printed or otherwise published or communicated." This was to prevent the "licentious publication of their proceedings." James Madison voted in favor of secrecy because he believed that "opinions were so various and at first so crude that it was necessary they should be long debated before any uniform system of opinion should be formed." Madison also feared that without the Injunction of Secrecy, many delegates would not have spoken their minds so freely.
The rule of secrecy allowed delegates the freedom to disagree and debate important issues without the influence of public opinion. It also gave them the space to change their minds and return to discussions with fresh perspectives. The closed sessions provided an opportunity for delegates to consider complex issues, such as the balance of power between the central government and the states, without the pressure of external influences.
The secrecy surrounding the Constitutional Convention has been a subject of debate and irony, given that it established the foundation of a representative democracy. While confidentiality is expected and welcomed in certain contexts, its presence in matters of democratic governance can raise suspicions. However, the delegates' decision to conduct the Convention under an oath of secrecy may have been necessary to foster an environment conducive to open and honest discussions, allowing for the creation of a constitution that has stood the test of time.
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The Constitution separates powers into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial
The Constitution of the United States was drafted in secret during the summer of 1787, in Philadelphia, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention. It is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. The Constitution established the government of the United States and is the fundamental framework of America's system of government.
The legislative branch, consisting of the bicameral Congress (the Senate and House of Representatives), makes the laws. The executive branch, consisting of the President and subordinate officers, executes the laws. The judicial branch, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts, interprets the laws.
The separation of powers ensures that no individual or group will have too much power. Each branch of government can change acts of the other branches. For example, the President can veto legislation created by Congress, and Congress can remove the President from office in exceptional circumstances. The Justices of the Supreme Court, nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, can overturn unconstitutional laws.
The Supreme Court has elaborated on the separation-of-powers doctrine in several cases addressing the three branches of government. At times, the Court has determined that one branch's actions have infringed upon the core functions of another. For instance, the Court has held that Congress may not encroach upon the President's power by exercising an effective veto power over the President's removal of an Executive officer.
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The document was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified in 1789
The United States Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force globally. It is also the fundamental framework of America's system of government, delineating the frame of the federal government and establishing the government of the United States. The document was drafted in secret by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1787. The convention was convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, the country's first written constitution. However, through discussion and debate, it became clear that a new frame of government was needed, leading to the creation of the Constitution.
The Constitution was signed by the delegates on September 17, 1787, marking a significant day in the history of the United States. The original signed, handwritten Constitution is now housed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The document was then ratified by the states in 1789, with the first elections under the Constitution being held in late 1788. The ratification process included the addition of a Bill of Rights, with Congress proposing 12 amendments, 10 of which were ratified by the states and certified in 1791.
The Constitution consists of seven articles, with the first three embodying the doctrine of the separation of powers. This separation divides the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of a bicameral Congress; the executive, led by the President; and the judicial, including the Supreme Court and other federal courts. The Constitution also sets out the rights and responsibilities of state governments and their relationship to the federal government. It is a document that stands as a testament to cooperative statesmanship and the art of compromise, ensuring that no one branch holds too much power.
Constitution Day, established by law in 2004, is observed annually on September 17 to commemorate the signing of this historic document. The day serves as a reminder of the freedoms and rights enshrined in the Constitution, which have inspired the world and continue to shape the trajectory of American democracy.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1787.
The original, signed, handwritten US Constitution is kept at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
The US Constitution is a four-page document that established the government of the United States. It is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world.
