US Constitution | Constitution of the United States

by Yuvi - February 27, 2022

What is the US constitution ?

US Constitution Preamble

Preamble of US constitution lists all the reasons why the 13 original colonies separated from their mother country, and an independent nation known as United States of America was created.

“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”.

When was the US Constitution Written?

Drafting of US constitution was began in 1787 and a constitutional convention was opened in the month of May 1787. Total 25 delegates from 12 colonies out of 13 colonies has attended this convention, and George Washington was unanimously voted president of the Constitutional Convention.

There were other leaders such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Samuel Adams who attended the Convention. US Constitution was written down after fierce debate regarding which powers should be given to independent states and afforded to the federal government.

US constitution was signed in the month of September 1787. Even after this signing it was still needed to be ratified by at least 09 states to become enshrined in law. US constitution was ratified in 1788.

What was the purpose of the US constitution ?

Articles of Confederation was ratified by US in 1781. It was the first US constitution ever written which was designed to set out how US government will function. All 13 colonies were considered as independent states and were unified under Congress, which is known as United States of America.

After winning the Revolutionary War in 1783, it was needed to form a more powerful central government to safeguard American freedom from foreign tyrants.

For this a constitution was required to create a free and stable nation that can protects the rights of it’s people

The Seven Articles of the US Constitution

The Articles of the US Constitution talk about the duties of the three main parts of government: the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch. The articles also talk about the separate powers of Federal and State government, and how to change the US Constitution.

Article 1:

Legislative Branch: the US Congress makes all laws for the United States. US Congress has two “Houses,” the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Article 2:

Executive Branch: the President, Vice-President, Cabinet, and Departments under the Cabinet Secretaries carry out the laws which are made by Congress.

Article 3:

Judicial Branch: the Supreme Court decides court cases according to US Constitution. The courts which are under the Supreme Court decide criminal and civil court cases according to the correct federal, local and state laws.

Article 4:

States’ powers: States have the power to make laws and carry out their own laws that are related to the people and problems of their area. States respect other states laws and work together with other states to fix regional problems.

Article 5:

Amendments: The Constitution can be changed. For amendments in the US Constitution the approval by a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress (67, 281) and three-fourth vote by the states (38) is required.

Article 6:

Federal powers: The Constitution and federal laws are higher than state and local laws. All laws must agree with the US Constitution.

Article 7:

Ratification: The Constitution was presented to George Washington and the men at the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, twelve representatives out of the thirteen original states signed the Constitution. The states meet, talked about, and finally voted to approve the Constitution from September 1787 to July 1788.

How many amendments are in the us constitution ?

The Twenty-seven Amendments to the US Constitution

US constitution amendments –

1st People have freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the Government. (1791).
2nd People have the right to have a weapon to protect themselves. (1791).
3rd Soldiers cannot take or live in a person’s house. (1791).
4th The government cannot arrest a person or search their property unless there is “probable cause.” (1791).
5th The government must follow the law (due process) before punishing a person. (1791).
6th A person has the right to a fair and speedy trial by a jury. (1791).
7th A person has the right to a jury trial for civil cases. (1791).
8th The government cannot demand excessive bail or fines, or any cruel and unusual punishment. (1791).
9th The Constitution does not include all of the rights of the people and the states. (1791)
10th Any powers that the Constitution does not give to the federal government belong to the states. (1791).
11th Citizens cannot sue states in federal courts. (There are some exceptions). (1795).
12th The President and Vice President are elected on a party ticket. (1804).
13th Slavery is illegal in the United States. (1865).
14th Every person born in the USA is a citizen. An immigrant can become a naturalized citizen. (1868)
15th All US male citizens have the right to vote. (1870).
16th Congress can tax income. (1913).
17th The people can elect US Senators. (1913).
18th Alcohol is illegal. (Prohibition). (1919).
19th All US female citizens have the right to vote. (1920).
20th The President is inaugurated in January. Congress begins to meet in January. (1933).
21st Alcohol is legal. Each state can make laws about making, selling, and drinking alcohol. (1933).
22nd The President cannot serve for more than two terms. (1951).
23rd The US Citizens in the District of Columbia have the right to vote for President. (1961).
24th It is illegal to make a citizen pay a voting fee or take a reading test to vote. (1964).
25th If the president dies or cannot serve, the vice-president becomes president. If both die, the Speaker of the House becomes president. (1967).
26th US citizens who are 18 years old or older have the right to vote. (1971).
27th Congress must limit when and how much its members are paid. (1992).

Facts of US constitution
What is the US constitution	The United States Constitution is the world’s longest surviving written charter of government. US Constitution is a plan for US government. It talk about the duties of the main parts of government.
How many amendments are in the US constitution	There are twenty seven amendments in the US constitution so far
Who wrote the constitution of the US	James Madison wrote the constitution of the US
When was the US constitution written	US constitution was written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789. The United States Constitution is the world’s longest surviving written charter of government.
Why is the US constitution important	The US Constitution is important because it protects individual rights and liberties while allowing the United States to function under a democratic system and established a central government with power distributed across three federal branches and the states.
Who is the father of the US Constitution	James Madison is called the Father of the Constitution.
What is 25th amendment to US constitution	25th amendment – If the president dies or cannot serve, the vice-president becomes president. If both die, the Speaker of the House becomes president.
Who is known as the penman of the constitution.	Gouverneur Morris, is known as the penman of the constitution.
When US constitution was signed ?	The constitution was signed at the constitutional convention in Philadelphia in 1787.
In what year was the US constitution ratified	US constitution was ratified in 1788.
Which part of the us constitution allows for the amendment process?	Article 5 of the US constitution allows for the amendment process.
Who was the president of the Constitutional Convention	George Washington was the president of the Constitutional Convention
Where was the US Constitution Written?	The US Constitution was written in Philadelphia.

Important dates in US constitution
May 25, 1787	The Constitutional Convention opens with a quorum of seven states in Philadelphia to discuss revising the Articles of Confederation. Eventually all states but Rhode Island are represented
September 17, 1787	All 12 state delegations approve the Constitution, 39 delegates sign it of the 42 present, and the Convention formally adjourns.
June 21, 1788	The Constitution becomes effective for the ratifying states when New Hampshire is the ninth state to ratify it.
March 4, 1789	The first Congress under the Constitution convenes in New York City.
April 30, 1789	George Washington is inaugurated as the first President of the United States.
June 8, 1789	James Madison introduces proposed Bill of Rights in the House of Representatives.
September 24, 1789	Congress establishes a Supreme Court, 13 district courts, three ad hoc circuit courts, and the position of Attorney General.
September 25, 1789	Congress approves 12 amendments and sends them to the states for ratification.
February 2, 1790	Supreme Court convenes for the first time after an unsuccessful attempt February 1.
December 15, 1791	Virginia ratifies the Bill of Rights, and 10 of the 12 proposed amendments become part of the U.S. Constitution.