The constitution of the united states is the supreme law of the united states of america. Empowered with the sovereign authority of the people by the framers and the consent of the legislatures of. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a state is a party, the supreme court has original jurisdiction. The constitution of 1787 was completed and submitted to the united states in congress assembled usca on september 17th, 1787. List of clauses of the united states constitution wikipedia. The constitution of the united states of america and selected writings of the founding fathers is a collection of classic works that traces the founding of america, from the birth of our nation in the 1760s to the creation of a more perfect union in the early 1800s. President, was inaugurated on the balcony in april 1789.
Comparative constitutions project, and distributed on. The following text is a transcription of the constitution as it was inscribed by jacob shallus on parchment the document on display in the rotunda at the national archives museum. Constitution for the united states of america 1 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. The constitution of the united states constituting america. Constitution for the united states of america moorish. The constitution of the united states preamble 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. It forbids congress from both promoting one religion over others and also restricting an individuals religious practices it guarantees freedom of expression by prohibiting congress from restricting the press or the rights of individuals to speak freely. This contains most of the rights and privileges granted in the united states bill of rights and the main text of the united states constitution. The constitution united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the people. Convention in philadelphia used many ideas and words from the constitutions of these and other states. On july 4, 1776, the people claimed their independence from britain and democracy was born. The constitutions of california and the united states with. The 55 men at the convention are called the founding fathers of the usa, and are also known as the framers of the constitution.
Amendments to the united states constitution, unlike ones made to many constitutions worldwide, are appended to the. The two us constitutions national liberty alliance. Resources guide explore the links in the text of the constitution below to discover a variety of relevant, classroom ready, lessons and activities from the bill of rights institute. 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. From a patriotically illustrated bill of rights bookmark to a parchmentlook version of the constitution, you can easily reference the fundamental laws and governing documents of the united states of america. Analysis and interpretation popularly known as the constitution annotated contains legal analysis and interpretation of the united states constitution, based primarily on supreme court case law the constitution of the united states of america, s. The real thirteenth article of amendment to the constitution. Constitution, along with links to articles on each, is provided in the table. We the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union. Spring flowers poppies and lupine, goleta point, n.
Constitution of the united states of america constitution of the united states of america amendments to the u. Page xiii constitution of the united states of america1787. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the congress of the united states, and within every subsequent term of. The constitution of the united states of america us department of. The congress realized that the country was in dire financial straits, so they made a financial deal. Its first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, whereby the federal government is divided into three branches. This document sets out the different texts and translations alongside one another. Engraving depicts federal hall in new york city, where george. On september 28th, 1787, the usca submitted the constitution of 1787, unchanged, to the united states for their approval.
The annenberg guide to the united states constitution. Preamble 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 was written in 1787 at the constitutional convention, held in philadelphia, pennsylvania, in what we now call independence hall. Mar 16, 2020 the constitution acted like a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. Article i structure of legislative chambers section 1 all legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a congress of the united states, which shall consist of a senate and house of representatives. A guiding question for each lesson is included below each section. The constitution of the united states as a printable pdf file. Meeting of the congress of the united states, and within every subsequent term of ten. The main characters of this history, non fiction story are. The small superior figures preceding the paragraphs designate clauses, and were not in the original and have no. Records show that the vote to send the final version of the amendment to the. Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the united.
Constitution of the united states of america history. The united states constitution and its amendments comprise hundreds of clauses which outline the functioning of the united states federal government, the political relationship between the states and the national government, and affect how the united states federal court system interprets the law. It also established the first federal form of government, as well as the first system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch of government from acquiring too much power. The teaching with documents online lesson plan, constitution workshop, features this item. For multipage documents such as this one, we offer the first and last pages for download below. The editor has availed himself of the foregoing copies of the original constitution and amendments found in. Constitution of the united states of america bill of. Americas founding documents the constution of the united states this item can be viewed on the americas founding documents site. The preamble outlines the constitution s purpose and guiding principles. The constitution united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the. Constitution of the united states of america, the fundamental law of the u. The articles of confederation and perpetual union was the first constitution of the united states.
Enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the congress of the. Its first three words we the people affirm that the government of the united states exists to serve its citizens. The congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to. Congress of the united states, which shall consist of a sen. Without it, the american experiment might have ended as quickly as it had begun. Constitution of the united states is the supreme law of the land. Preamble we the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic. Section 2 the president shall be commander in chief of the army and navy of the united states, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual. Article i structure of legislative chambers section 1 all legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a congress of the united states, which shall consist of a senate and house. The house of representatives agreed to a con ference report on june 30, 1965, and the senate agreed to the conference report on july 6, 1965. The constitution of the united states of america is the supreme law of the united states. A view of the constitution of the united states of america by william rawle in conformity to the act of the congress of the united states, entitled an act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the. For first time users, vision settings, and hide clause.
Carry copies of the entire constitution as a handy foldable booklet, or refer to one article or amendment at a time. Constitution for the united states of america 1 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. The original text of article ii of the constitution of the united states. California constitution of 1879, prior to any amendments sec. The eighteenth article of amendment to the constitution of the united states is hereby repealed. Constitutional history of the united states of america. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a congress of the united states, which shall consist of a senate and house of representatives. The first edition of the novel was published in 1787, and was written by founding fathers. United states of americas constitution of 1789 with amendments.
And for 95 years the united states people were free and independent. Our engaging, dynamic exhibits and programs are aligned with state and national standards so you can connect your field trip with your classroom curriculum. Constitution of the united states of america amendments. Foundingera translations of the united states constitution the constitution was translated from english into german and dutch at ratification, for the substantial number of people in pennsylvania and new york who did not speak english. It was drafted by the second continental congress from mid1776 through late 1777, and ratification by all states was completed by early 1781. Foreigners of the white race or of african descent, eligible to become citizens of the united states under the naturalization laws thereof, while bona fide residents of this state, shall have the same rights in respect to the acquisition. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 30 pages and is available in paperback format. Pdf the constitution of the united states of america book. Under america s first national government, the articles of confederation, the states acted together only for specific purposes. California state archives 1020 o street sacramento ca 95814. United states of americas constitution of 1789 with. The images contained within the pdf files available below are of publication quality and will print out at up to 300dpi on standard 812 x 11 paper. Free download or read online the constitution of the united states of america pdf epub book. Today, the united states constitution is the oldest, written constitution that has continuously remained in effect in the world.
United states, i owed my first and paramount alle giance to the nation, and not to the state of georgia, where i was born, and came to the bar, nor to the states. The constitution of the united states preamble 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. The constitution of the united states the signing of the constitution took place on september 17, 1787, at the pennsylvania state house now called independence hall in philadelphia. Congress of the united states begun and held at the city of newyork, on wednesday the fourth of march. The constitution of the united states of america see explanation preamble we the people see explanation article i the legislative branch see explanation section 1. The constitution vests the judicial power of the united states in the supreme court and any other inferior courts that may be created. States constitution is the worlds longest surviving written charter of government. The oregon constitution is the governing document of the u. The house of representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several. The constitution of the united states defined and carefully annotated.
The constitution of the united states national archives. The first amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. Section 2 the transportation or importation into any state, territory, or possession of the united states for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited. 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. Constitution is the oldest federal constitution in existence and was framed by a convention of delegates from twelve of the thirteen original states in philadelphia in may 1787, rhode island failing to send a delegate. Constitution is the landmark legal document of the united states.
As amended the current state constitution contains eighteen sections, beginning with a bill of rights. Under americas first national government, the articles of confederation, the states acted together only for specific purposes. Constitution of the united states of america bill of rights. Powers herein granted shall be vested in a congress of the.
John marshall gamble crocker art museum, melza and ted barr collection, 2008. The ac tual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the congress of the united states, and within. Declaration of independence and constitution of the united states. Highresolution pdfs of constitution of the united states. The oldest written national constitution in use, the constitution defines the principal organs of government and their jurisdictions and the basic rights of citizens. That freedom ended in 1871 when the original constitution for the united states for america was changed to the the constitution of the united states of america. The constitution, originally comprising seven articles, delineates the national frame of government. Home learn educational resources historical documents the constitution of the united states. Constitution of the united states 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 of the united states of america amendments to. The government had very little authority since the power was in the hands of the people.