We have a holiday, parades and light fireworks to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. But the Constitution? The legal pact we all love and argue about and, in some cases, die to defend? Sept. 17 marks the 236th anniversary of the day the framers signed the document and sent it to the states for ratification. It took another three years before all the states signed on to the Constitution.
The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. These four large sheets of parchment define the framework and powers of the federal government. The Constitution was placed with the Department of State in 1789 and stayed in its custody until 1921, when it was transferred to the Library of Congress. It was exhibited there from 1924 until 1954. Since then, the four sheets of paper that comprise the Constitution are on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
A lasting impact
The U.S. Constitution was a compromise that didn’t come together easily. Many of the framers weren’t thrilled with the various ideas, and they argued about it for four months. On signing day, even Benjamin Franklin offered only mixed approval, saying “there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve…” However, before signing Franklin added this: “But I’m not sure I shall never approve them.” Today, the U.S. Constitution is the world’s longest-surviving written charter of government, and it remains a model for democratic nations around the world.
Article I assigns the responsibility for making laws to the legislative branch.
Article II details the executive branch and the offices of the president and vice president.
Article III establishes the judicial branch with the U.S. Supreme Court as the federal court system’s highest court.
There are seven articles in the Constitution.
Ratification process
It took 10 months for the first nine states to ratify the Constitution and make it…
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