With no constitutional authority to do so, congress created a separate form of government for the district of columbia. Educating young people about the constitution united states of the 200 north glebe road, suite 200, arlington, va 22203 phone. Empowered with the sovereign authority of the people by the framers and the consent of the legislatures of. The constitution acted like a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. The constitution of the united states of america is the supreme law of the united states. Published by max maxfield secretary of state patricia obrien arp deputy. Constitution and analysis and interpretation of the u. Declaration of independence and constitution of the united states.
In addition, it protects the powers reserved to the states and the rights of every individual. Every citizen of this state owes paramount allegiance to the constitution and government of the united states, and no law or ordinance of the state in contravention or subversion thereof can have any binding force. Pdf the constitution of the united states of america by founding fathers book free download 30 pages free download or read online the constitution of the united states of america pdf epub book. 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. All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this constitution, shall be as valid against the united states under this constitution, as under the confederation. The bill of rights on september 25, 1789, congress transmitted to the state legislatures twelve proposed amendments to the constitution. The constitution of the united states of america us department of. Our engaging, dynamic exhibits and programs are aligned with state and national standards so you can connect your field trip with your classroom curriculum. The senate of the united states shall be composed of two. Constitution of the united states books of american. Constitution comprises the primary law of the federal government. It sets up a federal system by dividing powers between the national and state. The constitution of the state of new york as revised, with amendments adopted by the constitutional convention of 1938 and approved by vote of the people on november 8, 1938 and amendments subsequently adopted by the legislature and approved by vote of the people.
The constitution of the united states as a printable pdf file. A guiding question for each lesson is included below each section. Killian of the library of congress in 1994, provided the original text of each clause of the constitution with an accompanying explanation of its meaning and how that meaning changed over time. The 55 men at the convention are called the founding fathers of the usa, and are also known as the framers of the constitution. 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.
It was written in 1787 at the constitutional convention, held in philadelphia, pennsylvania, in what we now call independence hall. The constitution of the united states of america, s. A highly accessible, easy to use online version full text including the bill of rights and the rest of the amendments includes both sequential and subject indexes. The roots of the constitution of the united states may be said to have been laid in the great principles of the english constitution, which divided government. Constitution with intext annotations of cases decided by the supreme court of the united states. Constitution of the united states of america1787 page ii 4this clause has been affected by clause 2 of amendment xviii. A third edition, updated and expanded substantially, appeared in. Constitution of the united states of america bill of. 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. Preamble we the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic.
A history of the constitution us supreme court center. The eighteenth article of amendment to the constitution of the united states is hereby repealed. No title of nobility shall be granted by the united states. The constitution consists of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. Documents of freedom constitution of the united states.
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. The american republic constitution for the united states of. United states of americas constitution of 1789 with amendments through 1992. Constitution is intended to serve as a keepsake of your visit to the united states senate. The constitution of the united states national archives. Senators from each state, chosen by the legislature there. The first edition of this novel was published in 1787, and was written by founding fathers.
Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. The american republic constitution for the united states of america article vi 6. With the passage of the act of 1871 a city state a state within a state called the district of columbia located on 10 sq miles of land in. Louisiana constitution of 1974 louisiana state senate. Pdf the constitution of the united states of america. The constitution defines the powers delegated to the national government. The constitution established not merely a league of states, but a government that exercised its authority directly over all citizens. The constitution of the state of wyoming was adopted in convention at cheyenne, wyoming on september 30, 1889 and ratified by the people of wyoming on november 5, 1889. Ame about rica embassy of the united states, berlin. Us constitution annotated 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. 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. Home learn educational resources historical documents the constitution of the united states. As amended through calendar year 2019 table of contents preamble article i. Legislative power vested see explanation section 2.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Article 1 the legislative branch section 10 powers prohibited of states. Constitution of the state of wyoming includes all amendments through november 12, 2008. A reader was developed for teaching the core course on the u. The united states constitution for kids introduction following the war of independence with great britain, the former colonies began to consider the best way to govern their newly created and uni. 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 at hillsdale college divided into eleven sections with introductions by members of hillsdales politics department faculty, readings cover. 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. Analysis and interpretation, popularly known as the constitution annotated, encompasses the u. The constitution of the united states is a document that outlines the basis of the federal national government of the usa. Louisiana constitution of 1974 louisiana state senate november 18, 2019 compiled from the louisiana senate statutory database. Under americas first national government, the articles of confederation, the states acted together only for specific purposes. A constitution as a legal, social and political document constitutions as legal instruments a constitution marries power with justice lutz 2006. A second edition, updated and expanded slightly, appeared in 1986.
Their initial experiment with selfgovernment, the articles of confederation, created a governmental system in which. Today, the united states constitution is the oldest, written constitution that has continuously remained in effect in the world. Declaration of independence in congress, july 4, 1776. New york state constitution new york department of state. 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. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation. Numbers three through twelve were adopted by the states to become the united states u.
Constitution of the united states of america17871 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 estab. The unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states of america, when in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to. Signed by the members of the constitutional convention in philadelphia on september 17, 1787, the constitution outlines the powers and responsibilities of the three chief branches of the federal government, as well as the basic rights of the citizens of the united states. United states of americas constitution of 1789 with. 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. 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 article i article 1 legislative. The constitution in simple english 2010 elizabeth claire, inc. Carry copies of the entire constitution as a handy foldable booklet, or refer to one article or amendment at a time. A summary of the us constitution summary of the us constitution 1 the preamble the preamble lists the reasons that the original colonies separated from their mother country, and. 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. 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 united states constitution by united states free ebook. The constitution of the united states defined and carefully annotated.