Omar Bennett
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States and has been amended 27 times, most recently in 1992. The Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787, and went into effect on March 4, 1789, after being ratified by nine states. The Constitution establishes a federal government with three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. It also guarantees certain rights to all citizens, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to due process. The main authors of the Constitution were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, who were all delegates to the Constitutional Convention. The Constitution was transcribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment, and the original spelling and punctuation are reflected in the transcription. The first edition of the United States Code (U.S.C.), a compilation of all the general and permanent laws of the country, was published in 1926, and new editions are now published every six years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transcriber | Jacob Shallus |
| Main authors | James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay |
| Number of authors | 55 |
| Date signed | September 17, 1787 |
| Date effective | March 4, 1789 |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| Last amended | 1992 |
| Number of ratifying states | 9 |
| Number of states required to amend | 38 |
| Number of branches of government established | 3 |
| Rights guaranteed | Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, right to due process of law, right to keep and bear arms |
| Number of provisions | 26 |
| Average number of provisions | 60 |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution was inscribed by Jacob Shallus
The United States Constitution was inscribed by Jacob Shallus, a 37-year-old assistant clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly. Shallus was a calligrapher and engrosser, and his name does not appear on the document itself. However, an investigation in 1937 revealed his identity as the transcriber. Shallus was born in 1750 and died in 1796. His parents were German immigrants, and his father was an innkeeper named Valentine Schallus. Shallus served as a merchant in Philadelphia before enlisting in the army during the Revolutionary War. He fought in Canada and became a quartermaster of Pennsylvania's 1st Battalion. After the war, he returned to his position as assistant clerk and was later appointed assistant clerk of the Pennsylvania constitutional convention of 1789-1790.
The Constitution was ordered to be engrossed on parchment on September 15, 1787, and Shallus was selected for the task. He completed the transcription on four sheets of parchment measuring 28-3/4 inches by 23-5/8 inches, using a goose quill and black ink made of iron filings in oak gall. The final document comprised over 25,000 letters and nearly 4,500 words. Shallus was paid $30 for his work, and the document was signed on September 17, 1787.
The original handwritten copy of the U.S. Constitution, inscribed by Shallus, is on display in the Rotunda of the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C. The spelling and punctuation of the document reflect the original, including the transcription on display. The Constitution outlines the legislative powers granted to the Congress of the United States, the composition of the House of Representatives, and the rules governing each House's proceedings. It also addresses the general welfare, justice, domestic tranquility, and common defence of the nation.
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The document is on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum
The US Constitution, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, is on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC. These documents are collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom, and they are considered the most important founding documents of the nation. The National Archives building, designed by architect John Russell Pope, was intended to be a shrine to democracy and the American spirit, where people could come and contemplate the meaning of being American.
The Rotunda was specifically designed to hold the Charters of Freedom, with protective cases and watching eagles guarding the documents. Artist Barry Faulkner was commissioned to paint two large murals above the exhibit cases within the Rotunda, depicting the historical events surrounding the creation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The mural depicting the Constitution shows James Madison presenting it to George Washington, with a clear sky and the flags of the original 13 states, representing the establishment of a new government in a time of peace and national unity.
The US Constitution and the other Charters of Freedom were not always housed at the National Archives. Prior to their move in 1952, they were controlled by the State Department. The documents were displayed at the Centennial Exhibition in 1876 in Philadelphia and were then returned to Washington, DC, where they were displayed in a cabinet within the departmental library until 1894. Due to fading, they were removed from display and remained in storage until 1920, when a committee was formed to advocate for their preservation and exhibition.
In 1930, designers for the National Archives added an exhibition hall to their plans, with the intention of creating a monumental exhibit space for the Charters of Freedom. In 1933, President Herbert Hoover announced that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution would be exhibited at the National Archives building. The Rotunda reopened in 2003 with an official rededication ceremony on Constitution Day, and the public could once again view the murals and Charters of Freedom. Today, the National Archives Museum is a free, historic museum that is open to the public every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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The Constitution is a living document
The Constitution of the United States, transcribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment, is on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum. The document is over two centuries old, with the most important amendments being added almost a century and a half ago, in the wake of the Civil War.
The term "Living Constitution" is used to describe the viewpoint that the US Constitution holds a dynamic meaning even if the document is not formally amended. It is the belief that the Constitution was written in broad and flexible terms to create a dynamic, "living" document that develops alongside society's needs. Proponents of this view argue that the Constitution should be interpreted reasonably and in accordance with contemporary society. For example, the constitutional requirement of "equal rights" should be interpreted with regard to current standards of equality, not those of decades or centuries ago. This is in contrast to "originalism", the view that the Constitution requires today what it required when it was first adopted, and that there is no need for the document to adapt or change other than by means of formal amendments.
Those who support the idea of a living constitution argue that the framers of the Constitution, many of whom were trained lawyers and legal theorists, were aware of the debates and confusion that would arise from not providing a clear interpretive method. They contend that the document was deliberately written with broad and flexible terms to accommodate social or technological changes over time. This is supported by Edmund Randolph, who wrote in his Draft Sketch of the Constitution that only essential principles should be inserted, to avoid clogging the operations of the government with permanent and unalterable provisions.
Opponents of the living constitution theory argue that allowing judges to change the Constitution's meaning undermines democracy. They believe that legislative action, rather than judicial decisions, better represents the will of the people in a constitutional republic. In addition, they contend that the amendment process is an important part of changing the Constitution, as it allows for the input of the people through their elected representatives.
The concept of a living constitution is not unique to the United States. The British constitution, for example, is considered a living constitution due to its ease of amendment and the influence of statute law and the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.
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James Madison is often called the Father of the Constitution
James Madison, born on March 16, 1751, was an American statesman, diplomat, and Founding Father who served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. He is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution" due to his pivotal role in drafting, promoting, and influencing the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.
Madison played a crucial role in organizing the Constitutional Convention, which produced a new constitution designed to strengthen the republican government against democratic assembly. His Virginia Plan, also known as the large-state Plan, served as the foundation for the convention's discussions and outlined his vision for a system of government that effectively prevented the rise of factions. Madison believed that a Constitutional Republic was necessary to maintain control. He was an active participant in the convention, speaking over 200 times and earning the respect of his fellow delegates.
Madison's influence extended beyond the drafting process. He joined forces with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to write The Federalist Papers, a series of pro-ratification essays that became one of the most influential works of political science in American history. Madison's leadership and persuasive abilities were instrumental in securing Virginia's ratification of the Constitution, a critical step in its adoption.
In addition to his contributions to the Constitution, Madison is also known for his role in shaping the Bill of Rights. He sponsored the first ten amendments, emphasizing freedom of religion, speech, and the press. Madison's initial opposition to the Constitution's protection of the foreign slave trade and his later support for the Three-fifths Compromise demonstrate the complexity of his political career.
Madison's legacy as the "Father of the Constitution" is widely recognized, with historian J.C.A. Stagg acknowledging his success and influence among the Founding Fathers. Law professor Noah Feldman highlights Madison's impact on the modern ideal of an expanded, federal constitution, combining local self-government with a unified national order.
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Alexander Hamilton was a key figure in the drafting process
The US Constitution was transcribed by Jacob Shallus and is on display at the Rotunda in the National Archives Museum. Alexander Hamilton was a key figure in the drafting process. Hamilton was just 30 years old when he was selected to serve as one of New York's delegates at the Constitutional Convention. The convention's task was to revise the Articles of Confederation, but the delegates, including Hamilton, quickly decided to scrap the Articles entirely and create a new constitution. Hamilton was no fan of the Articles, having served as aide-de-camp during the Revolutionary War and witnessed Washington's struggles with Congress.
Hamilton proposed that the government should assume the debts of the states, despite opposition arguing that this was an unnecessary expansion of central government. Hamilton's plan was that the government could establish a steady revenue stream by taxing imported goods. Hamilton's proposals were eventually approved, and he went on to propose the creation of a federal bank, which was also approved.
Hamilton played a role in creating the Constitution, and was instrumental in its ratification and interpretation. He collaborated with James Madison and John Jay on the Federalist Papers, a collection of 85 articles and essays written under the pseudonym "Publius" to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution. The Federalist Papers are often used today to interpret the intentions of the Constitution. Hamilton's economic policies and his efforts to pass the Constitution helped develop a sound monetary policy and provided invaluable service to his nation.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was transcribed by Jacob Shallus and is on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum. The first edition of the United States Code (U.S.C.) was published in 1926, with a new edition published every six years.
The US Constitution was written by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1787. The main authors of the Constitution were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
The US Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787, and went into effect on March 4, 1789, after it had been ratified by conventions in nine states.
