The US Constitution is the foundational legal document of the United States, establishing the framework for the federal government and—through later amendments—outlining the rights of its citizens. Ratified in 1788, the nearly 8,000-word document consists of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. Drafted in 1787, the framers designed the Constitution to replace the weak Articles of Confederation, which had left the federal government unable to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce laws.
Hours of research by our editors, distilled into minutes of clarity.
Amended just 27 times in more than 230 years, the US Constitution is deliberately hard to change. This animated video from TED-Ed explains why the amendment process is so complex and what that rigidity means in practice.
This helpful guide from the US Congress includes annotations that provide valuable insights into the background, crafting, and legacy of each article in the document. Additionally, the resource offers accessible legal analysis and interpretations.
The Constitution was ratified before a formal list of rights was added. To avoid reopening debates, the Founders approved the core document first, then adopted the Bill of Rights as amendments. Watch this video to find out why and how that happened.
The creation of the Constitution necessitated numerous compromises to accommodate the diverse interests of the states. The significant compromises included resolutions on debates over representation in Congress and the status of enslaved individuals.
Drafted in 1777 and ratified in 1781, the Articles created a weak national government without the ability to tax or regulate commerce. This led to problems for the new nation, necessitating the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
Delegates initially met in 1787 to amend the Articles of Confederation, but within weeks chose to redesign the government entirely. Months of intense debate over power and representation produced the compromises that shaped the Constitution.
The 1789 US Constitution remains the oldest active written national constitution. Older systems exist—such as San Marino’s statutes or the Magna Carta—but they are not single, codified constitutions. See how other countries compare in this visualization.
The US Constitution was drafted in the Pennsylvania State House—the same building in Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. Read this page from the National Constitution Center for other fast facts about the document.
From 1787 to 1788, Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay anonymously published a collection of essays known as “The Federalist” to promote the new Constitution. Of the 85 essays that proved pivotal to the eventual ratification of the document, Hamilton wrote 51.
Explore how the three branches interact through the Supreme Court case of US v. Alvarez. The Supreme Court first struck down a law, then Congress and the president later revised it—illustrating how judicial review can reshape legislation and executive action.