Simone Lawson
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. All four pages of the document are on permanent display at the National Archives Museum. The original document was inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of pages on display | 4 |
| Location | Rotunda at the National Archives Museum |
| Author | Jacob Shallus |
| Number of Articles | 7 |
| Number of Amendments | 27 |
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What You'll Learn
- The four pages of the US Constitution are on display at the National Archives Museum
- The document was inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment
- The US Constitution is the supreme law of the United States
- The Constitution includes a preamble and seven articles
- The first three articles embody the separation of powers
The four pages of the US Constitution are on display at the National Archives Museum
The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution's four pages are on permanent display at the National Archives Museum. The document was engrossed by Jacob Shallus and is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. The opening words, "We the People", represent the idea that the people, not the states, are the source of the government's legitimacy. The Constitution acted as a merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures under one union. It vested the power of the union in the people.
The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I); the executive, consisting of the President and subordinate officers (Article II); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III). The remaining articles embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relation to the federal government, and the shared processes.
The Constitution's impact extended beyond the legal realm, shaping the country's political and cultural landscape. It provided a framework for governance that united citizens from diverse states under a common union. The document's ratification process, outlined in the article "A More Perfect Union," highlights the collaborative effort to establish a nation based on shared principles. Benjamin Franklin, despite having reservations about certain parts of the Constitution, accepted it as a compromise necessary for the nation's future.
The display of the Constitution's four pages at the National Archives Museum serves as a reminder of the nation's founding principles and the collaborative efforts that led to its creation. Visitors to the museum can witness the original spelling and punctuation of this historic document, inscribed by Jacob Shallus, and reflect on its enduring significance in shaping the United States of America.
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The document was inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment
The United States Constitution is the oldest and shortest written constitution of any major government in the world. At 4,440 words, it is inscribed on just four pages of parchment. All four pages of the document are on permanent display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum. The document was inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment. Shallus was a clerk of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He was chosen to write the final draft of the Constitution because of his excellent penmanship. Shallus used a quill pen and iron gall ink to write the document. The parchment used for the Constitution was made from sheepskin and produced by hand by Jesse Meyer, a relative of John Adams and Samuel Adams. The document was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land and the framework for the US government. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I); the executive, consisting of the President and subordinate officers (Article II); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III). The Constitution also establishes procedures for the ratification of laws and amendments, the conduct of elections, and the protection of individual rights and liberties.
The document on display in the National Archives Museum is a transcription of the original Constitution, inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment. The spelling and punctuation reflect the original document. The transcription is a faithful representation of the Constitution as it was written and signed by the Founding Fathers over 200 years ago. It serves as a reminder of the hard-won freedoms and rights that Americans hold dear.
The Constitution has undergone several amendments since its inception to reflect the evolving nature of American society and values. However, the original document, inscribed by Jacob Shallus, remains a powerful symbol of the nation's democratic ideals and commitment to liberty and justice for all.
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The US Constitution is the supreme law of the United States
The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I); the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers (Article II); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III). The remaining articles embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relation to the federal government, and the shared processes.
The Constitution has been interpreted differently over time, and the Supreme Court has played a significant role in shaping its application. For example, in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), the Supreme Court interpreted the Necessary and Proper Clause to allow the federal government to take action beyond its enumerated powers if it enabled them to perform their duties in a way that benefited the people. This interpretation expanded the scope of congressional legislation.
The Constitution has also been amended over time to reflect changing societal needs and values. Articles that have been amended still include the original text, with provisions repealed by amendments under Article V typically bracketed or italicised to indicate their repeal. The process of amending the Constitution demonstrates its adaptability and the ability to evolve with the nation.
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The Constitution includes a preamble and seven articles
The Constitution of the United States is a four-page document that is on permanent display at the National Archives Museum. It is inscribed on parchment by Jacob Shallus and was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. The Constitution begins with the famous words "We the People" and is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.
The preamble of the Constitution sets out the intentions of its creators, beginning with "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".
Article I of the Constitution outlines the Legislative Branch, which consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives. It specifies the qualifications and responsibilities of the members of each body and the legislative process, including the creation of laws, the power to tax, and the ability to declare war.
Article II covers the Executive Branch, which includes the President of the United States. It outlines the role and responsibilities of the President, including their power as Commander-in-Chief of the military and their ability to grant reprieves and pardons, make treaties, and appoint ambassadors.
Article III establishes the Judicial Branch, which includes the Supreme Court and lower federal courts. It outlines the role of the courts in interpreting the law and resolving disputes, as well as the process for appointing judges and establishing the court system.
The remaining articles of the Constitution (Articles IV-VII) cover a range of topics, including the relationships between states, the process for amending the Constitution, the supremacy of federal law, and the ratification process. The Constitution also includes a Bill of Rights, which comprises the first 10 amendments and guarantees various rights and freedoms for US citizens.
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The first three articles embody the separation of powers
The United States Constitution is a four-page document on permanent display at the National Archives Museum. All four pages of the document are displayed, and the spelling and punctuation reflect the original. The Constitution is a merger of a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. It united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the people.
The first three articles of the Constitution establish the three branches of government and their powers: the Legislative Branch (Congress), the Executive Branch (the office of the President), and the Judicial Branch (the Federal court system). These articles embody the separation of powers and include a system of checks and balances to prevent any one of these separate powers from becoming dominant.
Article I assigns the responsibility for making laws to the Legislative Branch (Congress). Congress is divided into two parts, or "Houses": the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states. The Electors in each State must have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State Legislature.
Article II establishes the Executive Branch, headed by the President of the United States. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Navy, and Militia of the several States when called into the actual service of the United States. The President has the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. With the advice and consent of the Senate, the President can make treaties and nominate officials.
Article III establishes the Judicial Branch, which includes the Federal court system. Federal judges are appointed for life unless they commit a serious crime. The Federal Convention left the work of planning the court system to the First Congress, which created the three-tiered court system in place today.
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Frequently asked questions
All four pages of the document are on permanent display at the National Archives Museum.
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789.
The Constitution includes a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
