The United States Constitution (because it’s important)
“The Constitution, on this hypothesis, is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the Judiciary, which they may twist and shape into any
form they please.” – Thomas Jefferson
“I am exceedingly distressed at the proceedings of the Convention – being… almost sure, they will… lay the foundation of a Civil
War.” – Elbridge Gerry (Massachusetts Delegate), 1787
Con·sti·tu·tion n.
1. The system of fundamental laws and principles that prescribes the nature, systems, functions and limits of a government or
another institution.
2. The fundamental law of the United States, framed in 1787, ratified in 1789, and variously amended since then.
Dates to Remember (even though I know you won’t)
September 17th, 1787
All 12 state delegations approve the Constitution, 39 delegates sign it of the 42 present, and the Convention formally adjourns.
March 4th, 1789
The first Congress under the Constitution convenes in New York City.
June 8th, 1789
James Madison introduces the proposed Bill of Rights in the House of Representatives.
September 25th, 1789
Congress approves 12 amendments and sends them to the states for ratification.
December 15th, 1791
Virginia ratifies the Bill of Rights, and 10 of the 12 proposed amendments become part of the U.S. Constitution.
Interesting Information (you know it is, don’t fight it)
Gouverneur Morris was largely responsible for the “wording” of the Constitution, although there was a Committee of Style
formed in September 1787.
Of the forty-two delegates who attended most of the meetings, thirty-nine actually signed the Constitution. Edmund Randolph
and George Mason of Virginia and Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts refused to sign due in part due to the lack of a bill of rights.
George Washington and James Madison were the only presidents who signed the Constitution.
Because of his poor health, Benjamin Franklin needed help to sign the Constitution. As he did so, tears streamed down his face.
Although Benjamin Franklin’s mind remained active, his body was deteriorating. He was in constant pain because of gout and
having a stone in his bladder, and he could barely walk. He would enter the convention hall in a sedan chair carried by four
prisoners from the Walnut Street jail in Philadelphia.
As Benjamin Franklin left the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall) after the final meeting of the Constitutional
Convention on September 17, 1787, he was approached by the wife of the mayor of Philadelphia. She was curious as to what the
new government would be. Franklin replied, “A republic, madam. If you can keep it.”
The oldest person to sign the Constitution was Benjamin Franklin (81). The youngest was Jonathan Dayton of New Jersey (26).
When the Constitution was signed, the United States’ population was 4 million. It is now more than 309 million. Philadelphia was
the most modern city in America and the largest city in North America. It had a population of 40,000 people, 7,000 street lamps,
33 churches, 10 newspapers, and a university.
There was initially a question as to how to address the President. The Senate proposed that he be addressed as “His Highness the
President of the United States of America and Protector of their Liberties.” Both the House of Representatives and the Senate
compromised on the use of “President of the United States.”
The U.S. Constitution has 4,400 words. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world."
The Constitution was “penned” by Jacob Shallus, A Pennsylvania General Assembly clerk, for $30 ($726 today).
The word “democracy” does not appear once in the Constitution.
The text of the Constitution was printed by John Dunlap and David Claypoole in Philadelphia to then be sent to the various state
constitutional conventions for debate and discussion.
The Constitution has only been changed seventeen times since 1791!
The national government spent $4.3 million during the first session of Congress from 1789-1791. During the last year that George
Washington was President of the United States (1796-1797), the entire cost of running the federal government was $5,727,000.
The United States Treasury Department stopped distributing currency denominations of $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 in
1969. However, these notes are still legal tender and may be found on rare occasions in circulation. James Madison, the “Father of
the Constitution” is on the $5,000 bill.
Since 1952, the Constitution has been on display in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. Currently, all four pages are
displayed behind protective glass framed with titanium. To preserve the parchment’s quality, the cases contain argon gas and are
kept at 67 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 40 percent.
The Constitution – Table of Contents (use this as a resource)
Preamble
Article 1 - The Legislative Branch
Section 1 - The Legislature
Section 2 - The House
Section 3 - The Senate
Section 4 - Elections, Meetings
Section 5 - Membership, Rules, Journals, Adjournment
Section 6 - Compensation
Section 7 - Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Veto
Section 8 - Powers of Congress
Section 9 - Limits on Congress
Section 10 - Powers Prohibited of States
Article 2 - The Executive Branch
Section 1 - The President
Section 2 – Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments
Section 3 - State of the Union, Convening Congress
Section 4 - Disqualification
Article 3 - The Judicial Branch
Section 1 - Judicial Powers
Section 2 - Trial by Jury, Original Jurisdiction, Jury Trials
Section 3 - Treason
Article 4 - Interstate Relations
Section 1 - Each State to Honor all Others
Section 2 - State Citizens, Extradition
Section 3 - New States
Section 4 - Republican Government
Article 5 - Amendment Process
Article 6 - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
Article 7 - Ratification
Signatories
Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression
Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms
Amendment 3 - Quartering of Soldiers
Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure, Arrest Warrants
Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Eminent Domain
Amendment 6 - Right to a Fair Trial
Amendment 7 - Trial by Jury in Civil Cases
Amendment 8 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Amendment 9 - Rights Retained by the People
Amendment 10 - Rights Retained by the States
Amendment 11 - Lawsuits Against the States
Amendment 12 - Choosing the President, Vice President
Amendment 13 - Slavery Abolished
Amendment 14 - Citizenship Rights, Civil Rights
Amendment 15 - Race No Bar to Vote
Amendment 16 - Income Tax
Amendment 17 - Direct Election of Senators
Amendment 18 - Liquor Abolished
Amendment 19 - Woman Suffrage
Amendment 20 - Presidential, Congressional Terms
Amendment 21 - Amendment 18 Repealed
Amendment 22 - Presidential Term Limits
Amendment 23 - Presidential Vote for District of Columbia
Amendment 24 - Poll Taxes Barred
Amendment 25 - Presidential Disability and Succession
Amendment 26 - Voting Age Set to 18 Years
Amendment 27 - Limiting Changes to Congressional Pay