Simone Lawson
The US Constitution is a document that has united a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. It is a powerful symbol of the country's history and values. The original, hand-written Constitution is on permanent display at the National Archives Museum, where visitors can view all four pages of the document. Transcriptions of the Constitution are also available online, along with a variety of primary source materials, such as government documents, manuscripts, and broadsides. The Library of Congress provides digital collections of these sources, including congressional publications from 1774 to 1875, such as debates, bills, laws, and journals. Additionally, the Library of Congress offers educational resources like the Our Constitution podcast series and the Constitution Annotated website, which provide engaging and accessible ways to learn about the nation's charter and its interpretation over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | National Archives Museum |
| Format | Parchment |
| Author | Jacob Shallus |
| Online Sources | Library of Congress, National Archives, Constitution Annotated, Our Constitution Podcast |
| Related Collections | The Continental Congress Broadside Collection, The Constitutional Convention Broadside Collection, The James Madison Papers, The Papers of Alexander Hamilton |
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What You'll Learn
The National Archives Museum
The museum is part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which was established in 1934 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. NARA is an independent agency of the US government that is tasked with preserving and providing access to the country's most important historical records. The archives contain an extensive collection of documents, including those of all three branches of the federal government: Congress, the Supreme Court, and the President.
The US Constitution, drafted in 1787, is the supreme law of the land. It outlines the structure and powers of the federal government, as well as the fundamental rights and freedoms of the American people. The document consists of seven articles, which detail the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, as well as their respective powers and responsibilities. Additionally, the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, further protect individual liberties, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to bear arms.
Beyond these foundational documents, the National Archives Museum also showcases a diverse array of exhibits that bring history to life. Visitors can explore everything from historical artifacts to interactive displays. The museum's exhibits cover a wide range of topics, including women's suffrage, civil rights, and even the history of espionage. Through these exhibits, visitors gain a deeper understanding of the nation's history and the ongoing efforts to form a more perfect union.
For those interested in exploring the museum's offerings, there are several locations to visit. In addition to the main museum in Washington, DC, the National Archives has locations across the country, including regional archives and presidential libraries. These sites provide a more localized perspective on history and offer a chance to delve into the stories and documents unique to their respective regions. By making these important pieces of history accessible to all, the National Archives Museum ensures that the story of the United States—its triumphs and struggles—is preserved and shared with the world.
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Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is one of the best places to find publications of the US Constitution. It holds a copy of the Constitution of the United States of America, which is also available in digital form. The Library of Congress is also home to the Constitution Annotated, which provides a comprehensive overview of how the Constitution has been interpreted over time. This includes discussions of the Supreme Court's latest opinions. The Library of Congress also hosts a monthly podcast series called "Our Constitution", which educates listeners on the nation's charter and its history and meaning.
The Library of Congress's copy of the Constitution of the United States of America was created by the United States Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. The Federal Convention first convened in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, it soon became clear that a new framework for the government would need to be drafted. Over the summer, delegates debated, drafted, and redrafted the articles of the new Constitution in closed sessions. The chief points of contention were how much power to grant the central government, how many representatives in Congress to allow for each state, and how these representatives should be elected.
The Constitution of the United States of America 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". It outlines the legislative powers granted to Congress, including the composition of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Constitution Annotated, available through the Library of Congress, is a valuable resource for understanding how the Constitution has been interpreted and applied in practice. It includes information on the latest Supreme Court opinions and changes to the Constitution over time. The Library of Congress is a comprehensive source for those seeking to learn more about the US Constitution, its history, and its ongoing interpretation and application.
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The Constitution Annotated
The Constitution of the United States is a four-page document on permanent display at the National Archives Museum. The document was inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment, and the spelling and punctuation reflect the original.
The online Constitution Annotated will undergo broader changes in the coming months to further modernise the resource. The website includes a Browse the Constitution Annotated feature, which provides summaries of Supreme Court cases. For example, the Supreme Court held that a Texas law requiring age verification for certain commercial websites that include sexually explicit material did not violate the First Amendment's Free Speech Clause. In another case, the Supreme Court held that the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority could be subject to lawsuits in federal court without violating the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause.
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Our Constitution podcast
The 'Our Constitution' podcast is a monthly series produced by the Library of Congress. It provides an objective look at the history and meaning of the US Constitution and how it has been interpreted over time. The podcast is tailored for non-lawyers and designed to complement the 'Constitution Annotated' website, increasing civic literacy by educating and entertaining its listeners.
Episodes
Episodes of the 'Our Constitution' podcast cover a range of topics related to the US Constitution. One episode, titled "An Evolving Constitution", focuses on Article V of the Constitution, which allows for amendments to be made. It explores how the Constitution's meaning has evolved in response to historical events, social movements, and Supreme Court decisions. The podcast also discusses concepts such as penumbral reasoning, extra-textual values and principles, and the small c constitution.
Another episode delves into the life and legacy of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first female Supreme Court Justice, who served from 1981 to 2006. It highlights her role in landmark Supreme Court decisions on abortion rights, affirmative action, federalism, and the First Amendment. A two-part episode titled "Ways to Interpret the Constitution" explores the most common methods of constitutional interpretation and discusses examples of Supreme Court decisions that demonstrate these methods.
In addition, an episode on the women's suffrage movement examines the Nineteenth Amendment, which prohibits the federal and state governments from denying or abridging a US citizen's right to vote based on sex. It discusses the evolution of the women's suffrage movement and the lasting impact of the Amendment on society.
Accessing the US Constitution
The US Constitution can be accessed in several ways. The National Archives in Washington, D.C., displays the original document, transcribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment, in the Rotunda of the National Archives Museum. All four pages of the document are on permanent display. Additionally, the "Constitution Annotated" website provides a comprehensive overview of how the Constitution has been interpreted over time, including discussions of the Supreme Court's latest opinions.
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The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
The original US Constitution can be found on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum. This version includes the spelling and punctuation of the original document, which was inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment.
The 44,000-square-foot museum was designed by Marvin DeWinter Associates and cost $11 million to build. It is housed in a two-story triangular building and is located in a 20-acre park complex, which includes the Grand Rapids Public Museum. The museum was dedicated on September 18, 1981, and was attended by notable figures such as Ronald and Nancy Reagan, and the then-Mexican President, José López Portillo.
The museum's main floor features exhibits on President Ford's life and career, including a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, furnished to match its appearance during Ford's presidency. The museum also includes special exhibits on the United States Bicentennial celebration in 1976 and Betty Ford's role during her husband's term.
The museum's collections contain approximately 20,000 artifacts, including Boy Scout materials, head-of-state gifts, bicentennial materials, re-election campaign materials, and clothing. The museum also features a range of media formats, such as videos and holograms, to showcase Ford's life and presidency.
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Frequently asked questions
The Library of Congress website has a range of primary source materials associated with the US Constitution, including government documents, manuscripts, and broadsides.
All four pages of the US Constitution are on permanent display at the National Archives Museum.
The Library of Congress website has a collection of congressional publications from 1774 to 1875, including debates, bills, laws, and journals. The National Archives website also has information about changes and additions that have been made to the Constitution over the past 200+ years.
The Library of Congress has a monthly podcast series called "Our Constitution," which provides an introduction to the nation's charter and how it has been interpreted over time.
The National Archives website has an education team that offers programs and activities, including guided tours of the museum.
