The U.S. Constitution

The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the United States.  Empowered with the sovereign authority of the people by the framers and the consent of the legislatures of the states, it is the source of all government powers, and also provides important limitations on the government that protect the fundamental rights of United States citizens.

The Federal Convention convened in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, to revise the Articles of Confederation.  Because the delegations from only two states were at first present, the members adjourned from day to day until a quorum of seven states was obtained on May 25.  Through discussion and debate it became clear by mid-June that, rather than amend the existing Articles, the Convention would draft an entirely new frame of government.  All through the summer, in closed sessions, the delegates debated, and redrafted the articles of the new Constitution.  Among the chief points at issue were how much power to allow the central government, how many representatives in Congress to allow each state, and how these representatives should be elected--directly by the people or by the state legislators.  The work of many minds, the Constitution stands as a model of cooperative statesmanship and the art of compromise.

The U.S. Constitution Transcript

View the full transcript of the U.S. Constitution or click one of the images below to see the original.

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Delegate Signatures