The Constitution of the United States of America, 1787
The oldest written national constitution still in force, the U.S. Constitution was forged in the summer of 1787 by fifty-five delegates gathered in a closed Philadelphia hall. They had a seemingly impossible task: create a government strong enough to survive without becoming a tyranny. What they produced was just four thousand words, a masterpiece of restrained language that established the separation of powers, federalism, and the principle that sovereignty rests with the people. The document's brevity is its genius. In just seven articles, the Founders created a framework flexible enough to govern a nation of thirteen states and enduring enough to survive two centuries of expansion, crisis, and transformation. It has been amended only twenty-seven times, the first ten coming as the Bill of Rights. Understanding the Constitution is not merely an academic exercise. It is the key to understanding American democracy itself: its promises, its contradictions, and its perpetual unfinished business. This is the document that made the American experiment possible.
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“A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.””
— United States
“of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding. The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no””
— United States
“this Constitution””
— United States
“The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.””
— United States
“Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states which may be included within this union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.AMD””
— United States
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.””
— United States
“No person held to Service or Labor in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labor, But shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labor may be due.””
— United States
“To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.””
— United States
“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.””
— United States
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