# data[].attributes.body
eats children

# data[].attributes.body
ITS IS VERY EFFECTIVE
or maybe it isnt

# data[].attributes.body
hi

# data[].attributes.body
I’m Elle, and youre watching the Disney Channel

Doo do doo do

# data[].attributes.body
9eurhiuerhgiuowhoeruihouireghwouirehgouierhoiuerghoiuwreghowieurghweoirugheiowrugheioghowieurhguirehgiwuehoieurwghowierughoeuiwrghiuerghoieurghwoieurhgoiuewrhgioruehgwoeiruherwoiughwouerighwoiuerghiuerheuorighoweiruh

# data[].attributes.body
why hello there

# data[].attributes.body
This is why Trenton is a hecking spam

# data[].attributes.body
Please tell us your gender so I don't have to use the word "it" when I refer to you online on the Padlet.

# data[].attributes.body
NO FRACKING SPAMMING

# data[].attributes.body
your just scared of us if you are this big figure show your self.

# data[].attributes.body
which person is shipping me with all of these people

# data[].attributes.body
don't look over here

# data[].attributes.body
lol

# data[].attributes.body
look
look

# data[].attributes.body
Go online
Search up Shrek
See a MEME
Scream out Hecc
MEME MEME MEME MEME MEME MEME
See a cat
With some drums
Make moosic
fall in love
MEME MEME MEME MEME MEME MEME

# data[].attributes.body
i really dont want to be rude, but you need to leave

tell us who you are first

# data[].attributes.body
look
look

# data[].attributes.body
look at this!

# data[].attributes.headline
Now, I repeat, leave us alone and dont be rude

# data[].attributes.subject
Now, I repeat, leave us alone and dont be rude

# data[].attributes.body
PLEASE DONT

# data[].attributes.headline
in case you didnt know this is a red flag

# data[].attributes.subject
in case you didnt know this is a red flag

# data[].attributes.headline
TELL US YOUR SCHEDULE AND WE"LL GUESS WHO YOU ARE

# data[].attributes.subject
TELL US YOUR SCHEDULE AND WE"LL GUESS WHO YOU ARE

# data[].attributes.body
PLEASE

# data[].attributes.headline
Hey anonymous, who do you ship Matthias with?

# data[].attributes.subject
Hey anonymous, who do you ship Matthias with?

# data[].attributes.body
Who do you ship brady with
Who do you ship grayson with
Who do you ship elle with
who do you ship selina with
who do you ship me with
who do you ship regan with
who do you ship scarlet with
who do you ship bim with
who do you ship yourself with
who do you ship kara with

# data[].attributes.body
Detective leaf will find out who anonymous is

# data[].attributes.body
close your eyes
shut your mouth
dream a dream and get us out
dream dream dream dream dream dream
go to sleep
lay about
or my fist will put you out
dream dream dream dream dream dream
take your time
but beware
there is darkness in the air
dream dream dream dream dream dream

# data[].attributes.body
who do you think i like
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who
19h
who do you think i like
like who do i have a crush on
thumb_up
1
thumb_down
0
37 comments
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 19h
is everything about you elle *rolls eyes* jk
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 19h
is it keith???
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 19h
hopefully not brian
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 19h
you're just sPiCiNg tHiNgS uP
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 19h
please not griffin
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
who do you think i am
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 19h
its RAYAN isnt it
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 19h
or maybe Colin C
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
again, who do you think i am
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 19h
ur elle
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
oof
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
no tell me who you actually think i like
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 19h
john mark is ur crush!!!!!!!!!
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
r u sure about that
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 19h
wut about travis
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
this is my padlet selina
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
tell me who you actually think i like
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 18h
who is anonymous?????
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 18h
wait, me?
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 18h
what
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 18h
anonymous is insane
Avatar of 
Anonymous 18h
Ellina
Avatar of 
Anonymous 18h
Or maybe it's Logan g
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 17h
who are you
Avatar of 
Anonymous 17h
Hi
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3h
ok ur not ok
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3h
its cuz they dont know who i am
Avatar of 
Anonymous 2h
hiiiii
Avatar of 
Anonymous 2h
are you mad at me yet
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 22m
who are u
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 21m
anonymus
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 21m
tell us
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 18m
Oh the last two were me
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 3m
what
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 3m
what
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 2m
what
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 1m
i logged out an commented
Your avatar
Add comment

forward_button

more_vert
im bored hbu
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who
21h
im bored hbu
thumb_up
1
thumb_down
1
2 comments
Avatar of 
Anonymous 21h
potato chip
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
ooof
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
wellthisisakward
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren
22h
wellthisisakward
um...
thumb_up
1
thumb_down
1
7 comments
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 22h
this is a little awkward
Avatar of 
Anonymous 21h
bimelina
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
now you have to tell me who you are
Avatar of 
Anonymous 19h
No
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 18h
who are you
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 18h
please tell me
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 2h
pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee tell meeeeeeeeee
Your avatar
Add comment

forward_button

more_vert
STRESS
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson
1d
STRESS
national reports due tomorrow/today
need:
-4 maps
-6 essays
- 5 hours of work

thumb_up
1
thumb_down
0
1 comment
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 22h
oof
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
STRESS
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson
2d
STRESS
national reports due tomorrow/today
need:
-4 maps
-6 essays
-title and cover
-news article
-caffeine (jk)
-binder
-that time stone, u kno
thumb_up
4
thumb_down
0
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
what did you guys do to this beautiful wall
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who
3d
what did you guys do to this beautiful wall
thumb_up
1
thumb_down
1
2 comments
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 2d
i watched endgame
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 22h
noice
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
who here ships Grady
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson
1d
who here ships Grady
(Grayson C and Brady M) 
dont tell them.
i dont, but travis does
so yeah

Put your ships in the comments!
thumb_up
1
thumb_down
0
49 comments
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
yes
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
the spoon god video confirms it
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
and so does mrs ballenger.
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
at least, she "implied" it
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
so yeah
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3d
oh yeah
Avatar of 
Anonymous 1d
i ship Wille
Avatar of 
Anonymous 1d
Will+Elle
Avatar of 
Anonymous 1d
also, stop shipping me and
Avatar of 
Anonymous 23h
Heyyyyyyyy
Avatar of 
Anonymous 23h
Selina and Bim
Avatar of 
Anonymous 23h
Bimelina
Avatar of 
Anonymous 23h
Amelia and Wang
Avatar of 
Anonymous 23h
Wanglia
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
nooo nooooo noooo'
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 19h
NO
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 19h
NEVER
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 19h
WHO ARE YOU
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
brady???????????/
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
oof that was selina
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
he says he wasnt on it
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
'kay i just want to know who do you ship me with
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
all the people you ship me with
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 19h
wait wat
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
tell me all the people you ship me with
Avatar of Will The Leaf
Will The Leaf 19h
who is anonymous
Avatar of 
Anonymous 19h
I am
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 18h
what is your real name
Avatar of 
Anonymous 18h
hii
Avatar of 
Anonymous 18h
Who are u
Avatar of 
Anonymous 18h
Other anonymous
Avatar of 
Anonymous 17h
Scarlet and Keith
Avatar of 
Anonymous 17h
Keilet
Avatar of 
Anonymous 17h
Selina +
Avatar of 
Anonymous 17h
Brady and Will
Avatar of 
Anonymous 17h
Scarlet and anonymous
Avatar of 
Anonymous 17h
Scarlet and Brady
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3h
anon do you know who i am
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 42m
nonono
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 42m
NO
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 42m
NOOOOOOOOOOO
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 42m
who even are u?
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 42m
still, nnoooooooooooooo
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 42m
NeVeRRRRRRrrrRRrRRrrR
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 42m
make anonymus get deleted
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 40m
Nah
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 22m
whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 17m
Cuuuuuuuuuuuz
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 2m
ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
comment musical quotes
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren
3d
comment musical quotes
like hamilton and deh and bmc
thumb_up
1
thumb_down
0
34 comments
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
ANGELICA!!!!!!!!!!
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
it from JAPANNNNNNNNNNN
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
ELIZAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
so its like 🤬
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
an Peggy
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
its better than 🤬 jeremy
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
BE MORE CHILL! I MEAN chill
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
hey hamlet
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
BE MOR HECKING CHILL
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
POPULARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
you'll be impressed by all my forest expertise
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
ur gonna be Populer
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
i think ill try defying GrAviTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
laugh in my face
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
but not because were gay
Avatar of Will The Leaf
Will The Leaf 4d
IDK
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
hi will
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
im trapped here
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
lol
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
will is the only guy
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
KICK HIM OUT
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
jk
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
im not mean
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
what the frickin mcchicken
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
holy sassafras
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
chili cheeseburgers
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
cheese lewis
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
wut
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
what other boy do you want to add
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
NO BOYS
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
except Will, hes not annoyin
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 3d
The COMMENTS ARE HECKING LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3d
yep
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 2d
6r4wwww24534y5u6t7ygfshr5e6ryfxfsrh5e6utdfxdzehsr45e76ryfjgcfxnrsj5e6r87u
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
boop
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson
4d
boop
amelia ruined it and this is my face:
thumb_up
1
thumb_down
0
18 comments
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
Bloop
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
NO
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
heehee
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
thats my THING
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
heehee
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
sowweee
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
OHNO
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
lol
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
i should be working but instead im here
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
same
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
elle hasnt even started yet
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
hey selina if ur looking at this wave to me
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
SeLInAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
???????/
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
howdy yallsies
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
howdy partner
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
U GOT NO JAMS
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao
4d
U GOT NO JAMS
thumb_up
1
thumb_down
0
3 comments
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
e is for exue miiiiiiii
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
Heehee
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
error?
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
hey
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson
4d
hey
@azha8590 
whos the dude on ur profile pic
hi yes

thumb_up
0
thumb_down
0
17 comments
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
WHAT DO U WANT
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
NO STALKING
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
;)
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
KPOP IDOL
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
I LUV HIM
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
HE"S SO COOL
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
LET HER BE SCARLET
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
lol its ok scarlet
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
WHAT
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
What
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
what
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
wat
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
wt
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
w
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
t
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
?
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
shh
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
Vacío
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who
4d
thumb_up
1
thumb_down
0
2 comments
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
cool
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
ha, ha
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
quote vines in the comments
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren
4d
quote vines in the comments
thumb_up
1
thumb_down
0
122 comments
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
BAANNNNNANNNNNAAAA
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
road work ahead, YEAH SURE HOPE IT DOES
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
ahh ahhhhhh AHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhh
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
???
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
Clueless
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
*sigh*
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
stahpppp i could've dropped my crissoant
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
*seizure*
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
ANSWER!
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
LoOk aT aLL tHoSe cHiCkEnS
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
HELLO???
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
can i PLEASE get a waffle?!
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
those are My CHaNcALas
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
No idea go for it
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
boi got a free taco
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
Are these all vines?
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
yesss
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
Cause I don't know any
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
then LEAVE
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
jk
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
oooooooooooof
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
Except where is my bannanana
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
That is a vine.
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
I think
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
cAn I PleAsE GeT A WaFfLE
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
ive never been to oover javer *insert vine music*
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
oof
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
im in my moms car
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
vroom
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
vroom
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
hi welcome to chilis
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
that one vine where it plays the to be continued music and the guy flash a paper that says I dont know what this vine about by now but im too scared to ask
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
you are disrespecting a future US soldier
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
Dont f with me
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
I have god and anime on my side
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
the vine where Annie Are You Ok plays in the background while one girl is lip syncing and the other is banging on a pan
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
lol
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
huh
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
its wednesday my dudes
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
ahhhhHHHHHHHH
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
HI
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
FreSh AVaCAdoooooooooooo
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
FEE SHAVACOODOOOOO
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
YOU"RE NOT MY DAD
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
lafee saviers
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
you are my daaad
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
Hurricane Katrina? More like hurricane Tortilla!
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
(yourmydad)
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
boogie woogie
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
woogie
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
i love you b
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
ill never stop loving you
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
b
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
im batman
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
its fricken bats
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
i love halloween
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
hey there
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
im StiLL a PiecE of GArbaGe
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
let the power of christ COMPEL YOU
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
i cant believe youve done this
Avatar of Will The Leaf
Will The Leaf 4d
CoUntrY Boi I luv U :p *bleh*
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
YASSS
Avatar of Will The Leaf
Will The Leaf 4d
Back at it again with the white chanklas
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
see amelia even will knows vines
Avatar of Will The Leaf
Will The Leaf 4d
Kermit Kermited Suicide
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
do
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
dodo
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
do do
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
do
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
dodo
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
(repeat x 10)
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
jello? more like hello
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
*slurp*
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
*choke*
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
well, when life gives you lemons
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 3d
WHAT?
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3d
dodo do do *chime*
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3d
im a snek
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3d
im a slithery little snek
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3d
guys look at this cool dress my mom bought me psych its jumper you were fooled
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3d
guys lets try to get these comments longer than the constitution
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 2d
you better watch ouT
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 2d
you beTTer WatCH Out
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 2d
YoU BeTTeR WaTcH OUt
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 2d
banananah next to a banananah
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 1d
stahhp
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 1d
stahpppp
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 1d
stahppppp your gonna get caught
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 1d
*cut to him being arrested*
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 1d
iridocyclitis
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 1d
i want a church girl that go to church
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 1d
and read her bible
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 1d
and they were roomates
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 1d
OMG THEY WERE ROOMATES
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 1d
two bros chillin in a hot tub
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 1d
five feet apart cuz their not gay
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 22h
YAS I FORGOT ABOUT THAT VINE
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 22h
ITS A WATERMELLON
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 22h
IN A WATERMELLON
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 21h
while they struggle with their boat i got watermelone to keep me afloat
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 21h
i lost my berries
Avatar of 
Anonymous 21h
lipstick in mY VaLenTinO BaG
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 21h
i diidntfind my berries but i found this
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 21h
*licks an unpeeled orange*
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 21h
wait who is that
Avatar of 
Anonymous 21h
who
Avatar of 
Anonymous 21h
me
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 19h
yes
Avatar of 
Anonymous 19h
How u doing
Avatar of 
Anonymous 19h
I'm doing just fine
Avatar of 
Anonymous 19h
I lied
Avatar of 
Anonymous 19h
I'm dying inside
Avatar of Regan Krahn
Regan Krahn 18h
im a bad b you cant kill me
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3h
miss keesha
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3h
miss keesha
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3h
miss keesha
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3h
she dead
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 18m
we are farmers
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 18m
dunduhdundunduhduhdun
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 17m
nationwide is on your side
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 15m
Wait a minute????? Who arrre yooou??????
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
guys look at this cool dress my mom bought me
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who
3d
guys look at this cool dress my mom bought me
phsyc its jumper you were fooled
thumb_up
0
thumb_down
0
33 comments
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
Phere
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
Where
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
its a hecking vine
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
???
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
IDK manyt wines
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
IDK MANY VINES
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
oompa loompa
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
doobity doo
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
amelia the vine gods are coming for you
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
no the spoon god is coming for her
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
They work together
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
in harmony *insert harmonic music*
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
no
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
in oompa loompa music
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
*ominous oompa loompa music*
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
OOMPA LOOMPA
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
DOOBITY DOO
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
THE VINE AND SPOON GODS ARE COMING FOR YOU
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
yeah thats better
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
OOMPA LOOMPA DOOBITY DEET
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
THEY ARE COMING AND YOU THEY WILL YEET
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
@sren7230
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
me?
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
we'll never know
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
snek
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
snekkity snek
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
snekkity snek snek
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 3d
whaaa?
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 1d
turn down for SNEK
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 1d
sneksneksneksneksneksneksnek
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 1d
sneksneksneksnke
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 1d
Snek snek snek snek
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 22h
sneeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkk
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
📎 Photo
Avatar of Will The Leaf
Will The Leaf
4d
thumb_up
0
thumb_down
0
20 comments
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
why
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
WILL!
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
hi
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
hi
Avatar of Will The Leaf
Will The Leaf 4d
WOOMY
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
wut
Avatar of Will The Leaf
Will The Leaf 4d
do u even splatoon???
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
no...........
Avatar of Will The Leaf
Will The Leaf 4d
:/
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
00f
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
change the color of the post will
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
change it to blue
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
thx
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
ha now its green
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3d
this kid's legs clip through his shirt
Avatar of e l l e v
e l l e v 3d
and its annoying
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 22h
i like the green
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 22h
so HA ELLE!
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 21h
idc
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 21h
so ha selina
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
why are we in science
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who
4d
why are we in science
this is not okay
thumb_up
1
thumb_down
0
16 comments
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
i dont know
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
im bored
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
MRS GREEN WE DONT WANT TO DO THE
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
THIS*
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
aaaah
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
SCIENCE
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
*explosions in background*
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
oops
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
WOW
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
that escalated quickly
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
What
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
*cackles over burning building*
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
that went well
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
i didnt die
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
and stuff EXPLODED
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3d
lol
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
📎 Photo
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who
4d
thumb_up
0
thumb_down
0
10 comments
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
INHALE THE BUBBLE
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
Wow Gasolina
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
AMELIA
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
STOP
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
I'm in art
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
HEEHEE
Avatar of Will The Leaf
Will The Leaf 4d
Im pretty sure that that is the first fight seen in the anime
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
?
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
nvm
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 3d
HEEHEE
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
The Constitution
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao
4d
The Constitution
The Constitution of the United States

The Bill of Rights & All Amendments

A highly accessible, easy to use online version full text transcript including the Bill of Rights and the rest of the Amendments with both sequential and subject indexes.
Note—spellings are from the original documents: see list.
Index (access key I)
Subject Index (access key S)
For first time users, vision settings, and hide clause #s. (access key H)
skip to Letter of Transmittal
Full size web images of The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights are also available for viewing.

Constitution Day is September 17.

1


(Preamble) 


We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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.


Article I (Article 1 - Legislative)


Section 1


All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.


Section 2


1: The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.


2: No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.


3: Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.2  The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed onefor every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolinafive, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.


4: When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.


5: The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.


Section 3


1: The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof,3 for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.


2: Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of thesecond Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.4


3: No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.


4: The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.


5: The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.


6: The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.


7: Judgment in Cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.


Section 4


1: The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusingSenators.


2: The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December,5 unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.


Section 5


1: Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.


2: Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with theConcurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.


3: Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire ofone fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.


4: Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.


Section 6


1: The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.6 They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.


2: No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.


Section 7


1: All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.


2: Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.


3: Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.


Section 8


1: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;


2: To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;


3: To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;


4: To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;


5: To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;


6: To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;


7: To establish Post Offices and post Roads;


8: To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;


9: To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;


10: To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;


11: To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;


12: To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;


13: To provide and maintain a Navy;


14: To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;


15: To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;


16: To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;


17: To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;—And


18: To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.


Section 9


1: The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.


2: The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.


3: No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.


4: No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.7


5: No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.


6: No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.


7: No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.


8: No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.


Section 10


1: No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.


2: No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.


3: No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.


Article II (Article 2 - Executive)


Section 1


1: The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows


2: Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.


3: The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.8


4: The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.


5: No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.


6: In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers andDuties of the said Office,9 the Same shall devolve on the VicePresident, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.


7: The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any otherEmolument from the United States, or any of them.


8: Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”


Section 2


1: The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.


2: He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.


3: The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.


Section 3


He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.


Section 4


The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.


Article III (Article 3 - Judicial)


Section 1


The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.


Section 2


1: The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;—to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;—to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;—to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;—to Controversies between two or more States;—between a State and Citizens of another State;10 —between Citizens of different States, —between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.


2: In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellateJurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.


3: The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.


Section 3


1: Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.


2: The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.


Article IV (Article 4 - States' Relations)


Section 1


Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.


Section 2


1: The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.


2: A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.


3: No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.11


Section 3


1: New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.


2: The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.


Section 4


The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.


Article V (Article 5 - Mode of Amendment)


The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures ofthree fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.


Article VI (Article 6 - Prior Debts, National Supremacy, Oaths of Office)


1: All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.


2: This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.


3: The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.


Article VII (Article 7 - Ratification)


The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.


The Word "the", being interlined between the seventh and eight Lines of the first Page, The Word "Thirty" being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page. The Words "is tried" being interlined between the thirty second and thirty thirdLines of the first Page and the Word "the" being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.

   | 
done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,
AttestWilliam Jackson Secretary |   Go: Washington -Presidt. and deputy from Virginia 
Delaware  Geo: Read
  Gunning Bedford jun
  John Dickinson 
  Richard Bassett 
  Jaco: Broom
Maryland  James McHenry
  Dan of St   Thos. Jenifer 
  Danl Carroll.
Virginia  John Blair—
  James Madison Jr.
North Carolina  Wm Blount
  Richd. Dobbs Spaight.
  Hu Williamson
South Carolina  J. Rutledge
  Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
  Charles Pinckney
  Pierce Butler.
Georgia  William Few
  Abr Baldwin
New Hampshire  John Langdon
  Nicholas Gilman
Massachusetts  Nathaniel Gorham
  Rufus King
Connecticut  Wm.   Saml. Johnson
  Roger Sherman
New York  Alexander Hamilton
New Jersey  Wil. Livingston
  David Brearley.
  Wm. Paterson. 
  Jona: Dayton
Pennsylvania  B Franklin
  Thomas Mifflin
  Robt Morris
  Geo. Clymer
  Thos. FitzSimons 
  Jared Ingersoll 
  James Wilson. 
  Gouv Morris


Letter of Transmittal
skip to Letter of Transmittal to Congress   up to the Constitution
In Convention. Monday September 17th 1787.
Present
The States of

New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Mr. Hamilton from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.


Resolved, That the preceeding Constitution be laid before the United States in Congress assembled, and that it is the Opinion of this Convention, that it should afterwards be submitted to a Convention of Delegates, chosen in each State by the People thereof, under the Recommendation of its Legislature, for their Assent and Ratification; and that each Convention assenting to, and ratifying the Same, should give Notice thereof to the United States in Congress assembled. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Convention, that as soon as the Conventions of nine States shall have ratified this Constitution, the United States in Congress assembled should fix a Day on which Electors should be appointed by the States which shall have ratified the same, and a Day on which the Electors should assemble to vote for the President, and the Time and Place for commencing Proceedings under this Constitution. 
That after such Publication the Electors should be appointed, and the Senators and Representatives elected: That the Electors should meet on the Day fixed for the Election of the President, and should transmit their Votes certified, signed, sealed and directed, as the Constitution requires, to the Secretary of the United States in Congress assembled, that the Senators and Representatives should convene at the Time and Place assigned; that the Senators should appoint a President of the Senate, for the sole Purpose of receiving, opening and counting the Votes for President; and, that after he shall be chosen, the Congress, together with the President, should, without Delay, proceed to execute this Constitution.

  | By the unanimous Order of the Convention
W. Jackson  Secretary. | Go: Washington -Presidt.

Letter of Transmittal to the President of Congress
skip to Amendments   up to Letter of Transmittal
In Convention.  Monday September 17th 1787.

SIR: 

We have now the honor to submit to the consideration of the United States in Congress assembled, that Constitution which has appeared to us the most advisable. 

The friends of our country have long seen and desired that the power of making war, peace, and treaties, that of levying money, and regulating commerce, and the correspondent executive and judicial authorities, should be fully and effectually vested in the General Government of the Union; but the impropriety of delegating such extensive trust to one body of men is evident: hence results the necessity of a different organization. 

It is obviously impracticable in the Federal Government of these States to secure all rights of independent sovereignty to each, and yet provide for the interest and safety of all. Individuals entering into society must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest. The magnitude of the sacrifice must depend as well on situation and circumstance, as on the object to be obtained. It is at all times difficult to draw with precision the line between those rights which must be surrendered, and those which may be preserved; and, on the present occasion, this difficulty was increased by a difference among the several States as to their situation, extent, habits, and particular interests. 

In all our deliberations on this subject, we kept steadily in our view that which appears to us the greatest interest of every true American, the consolidation of our Union, in which is involved our prosperity, felicity, safety—perhaps our national existence. This important consideration, seriously and deeply impressed on our minds, led each State in the Convention to be less rigid on points of inferior magnitude than might have been otherwise expected; and thus, the Constitution which we now present is the result of a spirit of amity, and of that mutual deference and concession, which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensable. 

That it will meet the full and entire approbation of every State is not, perhaps, to be expected; but each will, doubtless, consider, that had her interest alone been consulted, the consequences might have been particularly disagreeable or injurious to others; that it is liable to as few exceptions as could reasonably have been expected, we hope and believe; that it may promote the lasting welfare of that Country so dear to us all, and secure her freedom and happiness, is our most ardent wish. 

    With great respect,
    we have the honor to be,
        SIR,
      your excellency's most obedient and humble servants: 
    GEORGE WASHINGTON, President.
  By the unanimous order of the convention.

His Excellency
  the President of Congress.


Amendments to the Constitution
skip to Notes   up to Letter of Transmittal to Congress

(The procedure for changing the United States Constitution is Article V - Mode of Amendment)


(The Preamble to The Bill of Rights)


Congress OF THE United States
begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.


RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.


ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.12


(Articles I through X are known as the Bill of Rights)   ratified


-


Article the first. ....  After the first enumeration required by the first Article of the Constitution, there shall be one Representative for every thirty thousand, until the number shall amount to one hundred, after which, the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall be not less than one hundred Representatives, nor less than one Representative for every forty thousand persons, until the number of Representatives shall amount to two hundred, after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall not be less than two hundred Representatives, nor more than one Representative for every fifty thousand persons.


-


Article the second. ....  No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened. see Amendment XXVII


Article [I] (Amendment 1 - Freedom of expression and religion) 13


Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.


Article [II] (Amendment 2 - Bearing Arms)


A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.


Article [III] (Amendment 3 - Quartering Soldiers)


No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.


Article [IV] (Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure)


The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.


Article [V] (Amendment 5 - Rights of Persons)


No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.


Article [VI] (Amendment 6 - Rights of Accused in Criminal Prosecutions)


In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.


Article [VII] (Amendment 7 - Civil Trials)


In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.


Article [VIII] (Amendment 8 - Further Guarantees in Criminal Cases)


Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.


Article [IX] (Amendment 9 - Unenumerated Rights)


The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.


Article [X] (Amendment 10 - Reserved Powers)


The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.



Attest,
John Beckley, Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Sam. A. Otis  Secretary of the Senate. |     | Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg  Speaker of the House of Representatives.
John Adams, Vice-President of the United States, and President of the Senate.
(end of the Bill of Rights)

[Article XI] (Amendment 11 - Suits Against States)


The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.   ratified #11   affects 10


[Article XII] (Amendment 12 - Election of President)


The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;—The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;—The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President.14  —The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.  ratified #12   affects 8


Article XIII (Amendment 13 - Slavery and Involuntary Servitude)


Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. affects 11


Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.   ratified #13


Article XIV (Amendment 14 - Rights Guaranteed: Privileges and Immunities of Citizenship, Due Process, and Equal Protection)


1: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.


2: Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-oneyears of age,15  and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.   affects 2


3: No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.


4: The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.


5: The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.   ratified #14


Article XV (Amendment 15 - Rights of Citizens to Vote)


The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.


The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.   ratified #15


Article XVI (Amendment 16 - Income Tax)


The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionmentamong the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.   ratified #16    affects 2


[Article XVII] (Amendment 17 - Popular Election of Senators)


1: The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for sixyears; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures. affects 3


2: When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies:  Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct. affects 4


3: This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.   ratified #17


Article [XVIII] (Amendment 18 - Prohibition of Intoxicating Liquors)16


1: After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.


2: The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.


3: This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.   ratified #18


Article [XIX] (Amendment 19 - Women's Suffrage Rights)


The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. affects 15


Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.   ratified #19


Article [XX] (Amendment 20 - Terms of President, Vice President, Members of Congress: Presidential Vacancy)


1: The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.   affects 5


2: The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.   affects 5


3: If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.   affects 9    affects 14


4: The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.   affects 9


5: Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.


6: This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.   ratified #20


Article [XXI] (Amendment 21 - Repeal of Eighteenth Amendment)


1: The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed. affects 16


2: The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.


3: This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.   ratified #21


Amendment XXII (Amendment 22 - Presidential Tenure)


1: No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.


2: This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures ofthree-fourths of the several states within seven years from the date of its submission to the states by the Congress.    ratified #22


Amendment XXIII (Amendment 23 - Presidential Electors for the District of Columbia)


1: The District constituting the seat of government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct: A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a state, but in no event more than the least populous state; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the states, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a state; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.


2: The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.   ratified #23


Amendment XXIV (Amendment 24 - Abolition of the Poll Tax Qualification in Federal Elections)


1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.


2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.   ratified #24


Amendment XXV  affects 9 (Amendment 25 - Presidential Vacancy, Disability, and Inability)


1: In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.


2: Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.


3: Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.


4: Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.


Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.   ratified #25


Amendment XXVI (Amendment 26 - Reduction of Voting Age Qualification)


1: The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age. affects 15


2: The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.   ratified #26


Amendment XXVII (Amendment 27 - Congressional Pay Limitation)


No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.   ratified #27


NOTES
skip to Dates  up to Amendments

Note 1: This text of the Constitution follows the engrossed copy signed by Gen. Washington and the deputies from 12 States. The arabic numerals preceding the paragraphs designate Clauses, and were not printed (but are referred to) in the original and have no reference to footnotes that appear as small superior figures (superscripts). ratification


Note 2: The part of Article 1 Section 2 Clause 3 relating to the mode of apportionment of representatives among the several States has been affected by Amendment XIV Section 2, and as to taxes on incomes without apportionment by Amendment XVI.


Note 3: Article 1 Section 3 Clause 1 has been affected by Amendment XVII Section 1.


Note 4: Article 1 Section 3 Clause 2 has been affected by Amendment XVII Section 2.


Note 5: Article 1 Section 4 Clause 2 has been affected by Amendment XX.


Note 6: Article 1 Section 6 Clause 1 has been affected by Amendment XXVII.


Note 7: Article 1 Section 9 Clause 4 has been affected by Amendment XVI.


Note 8: Article 2 Section 1 Clause 3 has been superseded by Amendment XII.


Note 9: Article 2 Section 1 Clause 6 has been affected by Amendment XX and Amendment XXV.


Note 10: Article 3 Section 2 Clause 1 has been affected by Amendment XI.


Note 11: Article 4 Section 2 Clause 3 has been affected by Amendment XIII Section 1.


Note 12: The first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States are known as the Bill of Rights


Note 13: The Bill of Rights only had ten of the twelve articles ratified and these were then renumbered. Of the others only the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th articles of amendment had numbers assigned to them at the time of ratification.


Note 14: This sentence of Amendment XII has been superseded by Amendment XX Section 3.


Note 15: Article XIV Section 2 is modified by Amendment XIX Section 1 and Amendment XXVI Section 1.


Note 16: Amendment XVIII repealed by Amendment XXI Section 1.


Dates
skip to Spellings  up to Notes
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.
Sept. 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.
Mar. 4, 1789: The first Congress under the Constitution convenes in New York City.
Apr. 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.
Sept. 24, 1789: Congress establishes a Supreme Court, 13 district courts, three ad hoc circuit courts, and the position of Attorney General.
Sept. 25, 1789: Congress approves 12 amendments and sends them to the states for ratification.
Feb.  2, 1790: Supreme Court convenes for the first time after an unsuccessful attempt February 1.
Dec. 15, 1791: Virginia ratifies the Bill of Rights, and 10 of the 12 proposed amendments become part of the U.S. Constitution.

Spellings
skip to Vocabulary   up to Dates
Some words now have different spellings:
behaviour
- behavior

chuse
- choose

chusing
- choosing

controul
- control

defence
- defense

encreased
- increased

erazure
- erasure

labour
- labor

offences
- offenses

Punctuation, hyphenation and grammar usage have also changed.

Vocabulary
skip to Sources   up to Spellings
Also check the Government Printing Office's Ben's Guide for Kids
3d
- 3rd (third)

abridged
- shortened

adjourn
- suspend proceedings to another time

adjournment
- suspending proceedings to another time

appellate
- appeal (review decision)

appropriation
- authorize spending

apportioned
- distributed

apportionment
- distributing

attainted
- disgrace

Bill of Attainder
- legislative act pronouncing guilt without trial

capitation
- poll tax

cession
- grant

comity
- courteous recognition of laws and institutions of another (state)

commenced
- started

concur
- agree

concurrant
- at the same time

concurrence
- agreement

concurring
- in agreement

construed
- interpreted

Corruption of Blood
- punishment of person and heirs

counsel
- lawyer

declaratory
- explaining law or right

democracy
- this word is not in these documents directly, but “We the people” and “Republican Form of Government” are - most people say our form of government is a “Federal Democratic Republic”

devolved
- passed on or delegated to another

disparage
- belittle

duties
- job

duties
- charge (like a tax)

duty
- job

duty
- charge (like a tax)

Duty of Tonnage
- charge by weight

emolument
- power and/or pay

emoluments
- power and/or pay

engrossed
- final draft

enumeration
- count or list

ex post facto
- (latin)  after the fact

excises
- internal taxes

Habeas Corpus
- a writ in court for release of unlawful restraint - (latin)  produce body [of evidence]

imminent
- about to occur - do not confuse with eminent or immanent

impeachment
- formal accusation of wrongdoing

impeachments
- formal accusations of wrongdoing

imposts
- taxes or duties, that are imposed

indictment
- formal charges

jurisdiction
- right to control

Letters of Marque
- (grant right of piracy) - document issued by a nation allowing a private citizen to seize citizens or goods of another nation

magazines
- ammunition storerooms

ordain
- order

prescribed
- establish a rule

privileged
- rights given a group

pro tempore
- temporary - (latin)  for a time

posterity
- descendants

quartered
- housed

quartering
- housing

quorum
- minimum valid number of people

redress
- correct a wrong

repassed
- passed again

reprisal
- retaliation

republican
- representative and officers elected by citizens and responsible to them

suffrage
- vote

- voting

tranquility
- peace

treason
- betrayal of country

vessels
- ships

vested
- given the right

viz.
- abbreviation for (latin)  videlicet - namely (and when read aloud spoken as namely) from: The Columbia Guide to Standard American English

welfare
- well-being

writ
- order

writs
- orders

How to read Roman numerals:
The upper case letter I represents the arabic 1.
The upper case letter V represents the arabic 5.
The upper case letter X represents the arabic 10.
The upper case letter L represents the arabic 50. (not used in this document)
The upper case letter C represents the arabic 100. (not used in this document)
The upper case letter D represents the arabic 500. (not used in this document)
The upper case letter M represents the arabic 1,000. (not used in this document)
A bar placed over a letter or group of letters multiplies that value by 1,000. (not used in this document)
If the letter to the right represents an equal or smaller value the numbers ADD. XXII is 22.
If the letter to the right is a larger value then the numbers SUBTRACT. IV is 4. Only I is used with V or X, X with L or C, and C with D or M.
There is no zero!
Both C and M often still appear in commerce mixed with arabic therefore if someone orders a quantity of 5M, they want 5,000 not 5 million.
A few more samples: XCV = 95, XIII = 13, XCIX = 99, XLIX = 49
If supported in the browser, hovering the cursor over the Roman number in this document will display the arabic equivalent for a short time. 

Given (first) name abbreviations:
George
- Go:

- Geo:

- Geo.

Jacob
- Jaco:

Daniel
- Dan

- Danl

William
- Wm

- Wm.

- Wil.

Richard
- Richd

John
- J.

Abraham
- Abr

Samuel
- Saml

- Sam.

Johnathan
- Jona:

Robert
- Robt

Thomas
- Thos

Gouverneur
- Gouv

Of course B Franklin is Benjamin Franklin, jun and Jr. are junior, and Presidt. is President.

See the following sources:
skip to How to use   up to Vocabulary

(Links open a new window - Not responsible for the content of any outside links)
US Government archives - includes images of the documents and biographies of the signers
Federalist Papers - these 85 essays may be the best source of what the framers of the constitution had in mind.
Ben's Guide for Kids Spanish & French versions and some history
Publications.USA.gov
Lesson Plans at the Library of Congress

How to use this version
skip to Accessibility   up to Sources
Select vision as needed
 Good Vision
 Low vision
Very low vision


 Hide Clause #s (Access key N)
 Show Clause #s (Access key V)

( 1. Sample Clause or Ammendment Section)
Hide/Show will take several seconds (up to minutes with IE & AOL on Windows)
To Constitution  or To Amendments,  To Index (access key I)  or Subject Index (access key S)

To bookmark this page right click (on Mac hold click) on: ConstitutionUS.com
Some features are browser dependent.
Historic spellings, punctuation, hyphenation and grammar are retained. A spelling list is provide and in most browsers simply placing the cursor over the word will bring up the current spelling for a short time.
Some words are not in everyday vocabulary. A vocabulary list is provide and in most browsers simply placing the cursorover the word or phrase will bring up an alternative for a short time.
The division into clauses, not in the original, makes it easier to reference specific portions of the document allowing both an internal index and for use by external web pages such as teachers guide, or to emphasize a point of a given political point of view in a web page or email.
Placing the cursor over a article number will display the article number as arabic and to what the article pertains.
Placing the cursor over a section number will display the article and section number and to what the section pertains.
Placing the cursor over a clause number will display the article, section and clause number and to what the clause pertains. Note: Sections with a single clause have no clause number. If clause numbers are hidden just hover over the first letter of the clause.
If the hover feature is not available the short title of the article, section, or clause is listed in the index.
Some documents call the division of amendments sections, others clauses, amendment 20 refers to its divisions as sections. They will be called sections in this document.
The title attribute (not to be confused with the <title> tag) used in this document in an attempt to provide quick vocabulary, spelling, heading group short titles, and other helps has been defined as a part of the Hyper Text Markup Language from its earliest days in the Anchor and LINK tags. The proper handling was suggested in 1997 with this handling repeated as part of the HTML 4.0 (and added to most tag types) later in the same year from the W3C. If the browser does not support this (i.e. Safari 1.1.1 v100.1 and before only work in clickable links, others - see table below) then most of the same information is duplicated in various sections such as spelling list, index and vocabulary list including how to read roman numerals.
Footnotes are links displayed as superscripted arabic numbers (superior figures) and the text that they modify are displayed in a gray when using the normal stylesheet. Gray was chosen to leave the text readable as opposed to strikeout
The punctuation around articles and section numbers have been removed since this practice has fallen into disuse and adds little to the feel of this version. (Article. I. becomes Article I)
Article 1 Section 9 Clause 1 - Importation of Slaves; is shown as no longer in effect since its built in date has passed.
Most transcriptions show the "Attest 'William Jackson' Secretary" at the end of the other signatures as if validating those. This one shows that he, more likely, was attesting to the document itself or possibly the list of corrections in the document.
The Bill of Rights had twelve numbered articles but only ten were ratified. Since they were renumbered only the two unratified, which are shown in gray, are shown with the original number (as in Article the first) to try to avoid confusion.
A note for anyone looking at the image of the Bill of Rights above or any document of a similar period is the usage of an elongated s that can often be confused with the letter f. The typical usage rules in this period seem to be that the elongated s is the main lower case s unless at the end of a word or the second s of a pair. Today the elongated s ( ∫ ) is typically only used in mathematical formulae as the notation for integral. There is a story that Shakespeare who spelled his own name Shakspere or Shakspeare gained the extra e when a typesetter had trouble fitting the elongated s next to the k.
To Constitution  or To Amendments,  To Index (access key I)  or Subject Index (access key S)

Why another web version?
Yes there are about 2,000 or so online versions. And about a 100 times that as partial versions. The better of some of the others are listed above in Sources.
This is built for ease of use. With the built-in vocabulary it's hoped that it can be used as well by kids, and those for which english is not the first language with a minimum of outside reference.
This is all loaded in one page. The Constitution, Amendments (including the Bill of Rights), Notes, spellings, vocabulary, index, ratifications for simpler browsing. Though it may take up to a minute to fully load with a slow modem connection, there is no reload time going from section to section.
This attempts to stay out of the way while reading but bring quick access to notations, vocabulary, and spelling variations as well as ratifications.
You may read it the way you like. Top to bottom. Jumping from Articles to Amendments that modify them to ratification information in any order.
Other than the vocabulary it is offered very deliberately without interpretation.
It is usable without style sheets as well as supplying a standard and two low vision style sheets.
Supplies links so that anyone can point to a section, clause or amendment for someone else to be able to see in context with annotation available to that reader.

small browser test area

Hovering the cursor over each item below should bring up a help balloon (tool-tip) and/or display in the link area at the bottom of the browser the words title and the tag it is in.
abbr dfn bold
anchor no href anchor with href


Accessibility
skip to Index   up to How to Use
This is a privately owned page and not required to meet any guidelines, however:
An attempt has been made to provide additional accessibility to this important document.
Basic web standards are used. In addition it has been checked for U.S. Section 508 compliance with Cynthia Saystm Portal
Some of the challenges that may still be present are:
Historic spellings are retained. For visual users both a section presenting a list of historic and current spellings is given and in most modern visual user agents (browsers) simply hovering the cursor over the word will bring up the current spelling for a short time. Aural (voice) agents may or may not have difficulty.
Some words are not in everyday vocabulary. The method is the same as for spelling.
Historic grammar, punctuation and hyphenation are retained.
The division into clauses, not in the original, while making it easier to reference specific portions of the document may make the straight reading of the document somewhat more tedious. These can be hidden if the browser will support the “Hide clause #s” button above.
Basic font size setting is left at browser setting in the preferred screen style sheet, doubled in the low vision screen style sheet.
A very low vision screen style sheet provides white on black and fonts 4x default size.
The hovering the cursor feature does not have any way of changing the displayed font size in any presently known browser nor does any style sheet standard have a setting for this purpose.

Index
skip to Subject Index   up to Accessibility
THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
(Preamble)
Article I - The Legislative
Section 1 - Congress
Section 2 - The House of Representatives
Clause 1 - Congressional Districting
Clause 2 - Qualification of Members of Congress
Clause 3 - Apportionment of Seats in the House
Clause 4 - Vacancies
Clause 5 - Officers and Power of Impeachment
Section 3 - The Senate
Clause 1 - Composition and Selection
Clause 2 - Classes of Senators
Clause 3 - Qualifications
Clause 4 - The Vice President
Clause 5 - Officers
Clause 6 - Trial of Impeachment
Clause 7 - Judgments on Impeachment
Section 4 - Elections
Clause 1 - Congressional Power to Regulate
Clause 2 - Time of Assembling
Section 5 - Powers and Duties of the House
Clause 1 - Power to Judge Elections
Clause 2 - Rules of Proceedings
Clause 3 - Duty to Keep a Journal
Clause 4 - Adjournments
Section 6 - Rights and Disabilities of Members
Clause 1 - Compensation and Immunities
Clause 2 - Disabilities
Section 7 - Legislative Process
Clause 1 - Revenue Bills
Clause 2 - Approval by the President
Clause 3 - Presentation of Resolutions
Section 8 - Powers of Congress
Clause 1 - Power to Tax and Spend
Clause 2 - Borrowing Power
Clause 3- Commerce Power
Clause 4 - Naturalization and Bankruptcies
Clause 5 - Money
Clause 6 - Money
Clause 7 - Post Office
Clause 8 - Copyrights and Patent
Clause 9- Creating of Courts
Clause 10 - Maritime Crimes
Clause 11 - War; Military Establishment
Clause 12 - War; Military Establishment
Clause 13 - War; Military Establishment
Clause 14 - War; Military Establishment
Clause 15 - The Militia
Clause 16 - The Militia
Clause 17 - District of Columbia; Federal Property
Clause 18 - Necessary Clause
Section 9 - Powers Denied Congress
Clause 1 - Importation of Slaves
Clause 2 - Habeas Corpus  Suspension
Clause 3 - Bill of Attainder and Ex Post Facto Laws
Clause 4 - Taxes
Clause 5 - Duties on Exports from States
Clause 6- Preference to Ports
Clause 7- Appropriations and Accounting of Public Money
Clause 8 - Titles of Nobility; Presents
Section 10 - Powers Denied to the States
Clause 1 - Not to Make Treaties, Coin Money, Pass Ex Post Facto Laws, Impair Contracts
Clause 2 - Not to Levy Duties on Exports and Imports
Clause 3 - Not to Lay Tonnage Duties, Keep Troops, Make Compacts, or Engage in War
Article II - Executive
Section 1 - The President
Clause 1 - Powers and Term of the President
Clause 2 - Election
Clause 3 - Election
Clause 4 - Election
Clause 5 - Qualifications
Clause 6 - Presidential Succession
Clause 7 - Compensation and Emolument
Clause 8 - Oath of Office
Section 2 - Powers and Duties of the President
Clause 1 - Commander-in-Chiefship; Presidential Advisers;
Clause 2 - Treaties and Appointment of Officers
Clause 3 - Vacancies during Recess of Senate
Section 3 - Legislative, Diplomatic, and Law Enforcement
Section 4 - Impeachment
Article III - Judicial
Section 1 - Judicial Power, Courts, Judges
Section 2 - Judicial Power and Jurisdiction
Clause 1 - Cases and Controversies; Grants of Jurisdiction
Clause 2 - Original and Appellate Jurisdiction; Exceptions and Regulations of Appellate Jurisdiction
Clause 3 - Trial by Jury
Section 3 - Treason
Clause 1 - Definition and Limitations
Clause 2 - Punishment
Article IV - States' Relations
Section 1 - Full Faith and Credit
Section 2 - Interstate Comity
Clause 1 - State Citizenship: Privileges and Immunities
Clause 2 - Interstate Rendition
Clause 3 - Fugitives from Labor
Section 3 - Admission of New States to Union; Property of United State
Clause 1 - Admission of New States to Union
Clause 2 - Property of the United States
Section 4 - Obligations of United States to States
Article V - Mode of Amendment
Article VI - Prior Debts, National Supremacy, Oaths of Office
Clause 1 - Validity of Prior Debts and Engagements
Clause 2 - Supremacy of the Constitution, Laws and Treaties
Clause 3 - Oath of Office
Article VII - Ratification
Letter of Transmittal
Letter of Transmittal to the President of Congress
Amendments to the Constitution
(The Preamble to The Bill of Rights)
(Articles I through X are known as the Bill of Rights)
Article [I] - Freedom of expression and religion
Article [II] - Bearing Arms
Article [III] - Quartering Soldiers
Article [IV] - Search and Seizure
Article [V] - Rights of Persons
Article [VI] - Rights of Accused in Criminal Prosecutions
Article [VII] - Civil Trials
Article [VIII] - Further Guarantees in Criminal Cases
Article [IX] - Unenumerated Rights
Article [X] - Reserved Powers
[Article XI] - Suits Against States
[Article XII] - Election of President
Article XIII - Slavery and Involuntary Servitude
Section 1 - Slavery and Involuntary Servitude
Section 2 - Enforcement
Article XIV - Rights Guaranteed: Privileges and Immunities of Citizenship, Due Process, and Equal Protection
Section 1 - Rights Guaranteed
Section 2 - Apportionment of Representation
Section 3 - Disqualification and Public Debt
Section 4 - Disqualification and Public Debt
Section 5 - Enforcement
Article XV - Rights of Citizens to Vote
Article XVI - Income Tax
[Article XVII] - Popular Election of Senators
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Article [XVIII] - Prohibition of Intoxicating Liquor
Section 1 - Prohibition of Intoxicating Liquors
Section 2 - Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power
Section 3 - Ratification
Article [XIX] - Women's Suffrage Rights
Section 1 - Women's Suffrage Rights
Section 2 - Enforcement
Article [XX] - Terms of President, Vice President, Members of Congress: Presidential Vacancy
Section 1 - Terms of President, Vice President, Senators, and Representatives
Section 2 - Time of assembling Congress
Section 3 - Filling vacancy in office of President
Section 4 - Power of Congress in Presidential succession
Section 5 - Time of taking effect
Section 6 - Ratification
Article [XXI] - Repeal of Eighteenth Amendment
Section 1 - Repeal of Eighteenth Amendment
Section 2 - Transportation of intoxicating liquors
Section 3 - Ratification
Amendment XXII - Presidential Tenure
Section 1 - Presidential Tenure
Section 2 - Enforcement
Amendment XXIII - Presidential Electors for the District of Columbia
Section 1 - Presidential Electors for the District of Columbia
Section 2 - Enforcement
Amendment XXIV - Abolition of the Poll Tax Qualification in Federal Elections
Amendment XXV - Presidential Vacancy, Disability, and Inability
Amendment XXVI - Reduction of Voting Age Qualification
Section 1 - Reduction of Voting Age Qualification
Section 2 - Enforcement
Amendment XXVII - Congressional Pay Limitation
NOTES
Note 1: Original source of the Constitution text.
Note 2: Article 1 Section 2 Clause 3 modified by Amendment XIV, and Amendment XVI.
Note 3: Article 1 Section 3 Clause 1 has been affected by Amendment XVII.
Note 4: Article 1 Section 3 Clause 2 modified by Amendment XVII.
Note 5: Article 1 Section 4 Clause 2 modified by Amendment XX.
Note 6: Article 1 Section 6 Clause 1 modified by Amendment XXVII.
Note 7: Article 1 Section 9 Clause 4 modified by Amendment XVI.
Note 8: Article 2 Section 1 Clause 3 superseded by amendment XII.
Note 9: Article 2 Section 1 Clause 6 modified by amendment XX and amendment XXV.
Note 10: Article 3 Section 2 Clause 1 modified by amendment XI.
Note 11: Article 4 Section 2 Clause 3 modified by amendment XIII.
Note 12: The Bill of Rights
Note 13: Only the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th numbered at ratification.
Note 14: Part of Amendment XII superseded by Amendment XX.
Note 15: Article XIV is modified by Amendment XIX and Amendment XXVI.
Note 16: Amendment XVIII repealed by Amendment XXI.
Dates - Milestone dates for the constitution, bill of rights and the start of the U.S. government.
Spellings
Vocabulary
Sources
How to use this version
Accessibility
Index
Subject Index
Sample code to link from your own web site or email
Ratifications
Jun 21, 1788 Constitution
Dec 15, 1791 (Articles I through X are known as the Bill of Rights)
Article [I] - Freedom of expression and religion
Article [II] - Bearing Arms
Article [III] - Quartering Soldiers
Article [IV] - Search and Seizure
Article [V] - Rights of Persons
Article [VI] - Rights of Accused in Criminal Prosecutions
Article [VII] - Civil Trials
Article [VIII] - Further Guarantees in Criminal Cases
Article [IX] - Unenumerated Rights
Article [X] - Reserved Powers
Feb 7, 1795 [Article XI] - Suits Against States
Jun 15, 1804 [Article XII] - Election of President
Dec 6, 1865 Article XIII - Slavery and Involuntary Servitude
Jul 9, 1868 Article XIV - Rights Guaranteed: Privileges and Immunities of Citizenship, Due Process, and Equal Protection
Feb 3, 1870 Article XV - Rights of Citizens to Vote
Feb 3, 1913 Article XVI - Income Tax
Apr 8, 1913 [Article XVII] - Popular Election of Senators
Jan 16, 1919 Article [XVIII] - Prohibition of Intoxicating Liquors
Aug 18, 1920 Article [XIX] - Women's Suffrage Rights
Jan 23, 1933 Article [XX] - Terms of President, Vice President, Members of Congress: Presidential Vacancy
Mar 21, 1947 Article [XXI] - Repeal of Eighteenth Amendment
Feb 27, 1951 Amendment XXII - Presidential Tenure
Mar 29, 1961 Amendment XXIII - Presidential Electors for the District of Columbia
Jan 24, 1964 Amendment XXIV - Abolition of the Poll Tax Qualification in Federal Elections
Feb 10, 1967 Amendment XXV - Presidential Vacancy, Disability, and Inability
Jul 1, 1971 Amendment XXVI - Reduction of Voting Age Qualification
May 7, 1992 Amendment XXVII - Congressional Pay Limitation
Copyright and Contact
Outside navigation
HTML and CSS validation
Labeling

Subject Index
skip to Sample code  up to Index
Select first letter of subject:  A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Admiralty and; maritime cases - Article III Section 2
Advice and consent - Article II Section 2 Clause 2
Age, as qualification for public office
President - Article II Section 1 Clause 5
Representatives - Article I Section 2 Clause 2
Senators - Article I Section 3 Clause 3
Age, voting - Amendment XXVI
Ambassadors
Case controversies - Article III Section 2 Clause 1
President's power - Article II Section 2 Clause 2; Article II Section 3
Amendment procedure - Article V
Appellate jurisdiction - Article III Section 2 Clause 2
Appointment power - Article II Section 2 Clause 2
Appointments, temporary - Amendment XVII Section 2
Apportionment of representatives - Article I Section 2 Clause 3; Amendment XIV Section 2
Appropriations(s) - Article I Section 8
Arms, right to bear - Amendment II
Army - Article II Section 2 Clause 1
Assembly, right of - Amendment l
Authors - Article I Section 8 Clause 8
to top of Subject Index
B
Bail, excessive - Amendment 8
Bankruptcy, Congress, power - Article I Section 8 Clause 4
Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10) - Amendments I-X
Bills - Article I Section 7
Bills of attainder - Article I Section 9 Clause 3; Article I Section 10 Clause 1
Borrowing, Congress, power - Article I Section 8 Clause 2
to top of Subject Index
C
Cabinet officers, reports - Article II Section 2 Clause 1
Census - Article I Section 2 Clause 3
Chief Justice, role in impeachment trials - Article I Section 3 Clause 6
Commander in Chief - Article II Section 2 Clause 1
Commerce, Congress, power - Article I Section 8 Clause 3
Commission of officers - Article II Section 3 Clause 5
Compact - Article I Section 10 Clause 3
Congress
annual meetings - Article I Section 4 Clause 2;
declaring war - Article I Section 8 Clauses 11-14
legislative proceedings - Article I Section 5 Clause 2
members, compensation and privileges - Article I Section 6 Clause 1;
organization - Article I Section 1
powers - Article I Section 8; Amendment XII
special sessions - Article II Section 3
Congressional Record (Journal) - Article I Section 5 Clause 3
Constitution, purpose - Preamble
Contracts, interference by states - Article I Section 10 Clause 3
Controversies, court cases - Article III Section 2 Clause 1
Conventions - Article V;VII; Amendment 21 Section 3
Copyrights & patents, Congress' power - Article I Section 8 Clause 8
Counsel, right to - Amendment 6
Counterfeiting, Congress' power to punish - Article I Section 8 Clause 6
Courts - (see Judiciary)
Criminal proceedings, rights of accused - Amendment 5; Amendment 6
Currency, Congress' power - Article I Section 8 Clause 5
to top of Subject Index
D
Defense, Congress' power - Article I Section 8
District of Columbia - Article I Section 8 Clause 17; Amendment XXIII Section 1
Double jeopardy - Amendment V
Due process of law - Amendment V; Amendment XIV Section 1
to top of Subject Index
E
Electoral College - Article II Section 1 Clause 4; Amendment XII; Amendment XXIII Section 1
Equal protection of laws - Amendment 14 Section 1
Equity - Article III Section 2 Clause 1; Amendment 11
Ex post facto laws - Article I Section 9 Clause 3; Article I Section 10 Clause 1
Extradition of fugitives by states - Article IV Section 2 Clause 2
to top of Subject Index
F
Fines, excessive - Amendment VIII
Foreign affairs, President's power - Article II Section 2 Clause 2
Foreign commerce, Congress' power - Article I Section 8 Clause 1
Full faith and credit" clause - Article IV Section 1
to top of Subject Index
G
General welfare, Congress' power - Article I Section 8 Clause 1
Grand jury indictments - Amendment V
Grievances, redress of - Amendment I
to top of Subject Index
H
Habeas corpus - Article I Section 9 Clause 2
House of Representatives
election to & eligibility for - Article I Section 2 Clause 2
members' terms of office - Article I Section 2 Clause 1; Article I Section 6 Clause 2
Speaker of - Article I Section 2 Clause 5; Amendment 24; Amendment 25
special powers
impeachment - Article I Section 2 Clause 5
Presidential elections - Article II Section 1 Clause 3; Amendment 12
revenue bills - Article I Section 7 Clause 1
states' representation in - Article I Section 2 Clause 1; Article I Section 2 Clause 3
vacancies - Article I Section 2 Clause 4
to top of Subject Index
I
Immunities (see Privileges and immunities)
Impeachment
officials subject to - Article II Section 4
penalties - Article I Section 3 Clause 7
power of, lodged in House - Article I Section 2 Clause 5
reasons - Article II Section 4
trials, Senate - Article I Section 3 Clause 6
Indians, commerce with, Congress' power - Article I Section 8 Clause 3
Inhabitant (see Resident) - Article I Section 2 Clause 2; Article I Section 3 Clause 3
International law, Congress' power - Article I Section 8 Clause 3
Inventors - Article I Section 8 Clause 8
to top of Subject Index
J
Judiciary
inferior courts - Article I Section 8 Clause 9; Article III Section 1
judicial review - Article III Section 2 Clause 2
jurisdiction - Article III Section 2 Section 2
nomination & confirmation of judges - Article II Section 2 Clause 2
Supreme Court - Article III Section 1
terms of office & compensation - Article III Section 1
Jury trials - Article III Section 2 Clause 3; Amendment VI; Amendment VII
to top of Subject Index
L
“Lame duck” amendment - Amendment XX
Liquor - Amendment XVIII; Amendment XXI
to top of Subject Index
M
Marque and reprisal, letters of - Article I Section 8 Clause 11
Men (see Persons)
Militia (Military) - Amendment II; Amendment V
congressional powers - Article I Section 8 Clause 15
presidential powers - Article II Section 2 Clause 1
Money - Article I Section 8 Clause 5-6
to top of Subject Index
N
National debt - Article VI Clause 1
Native Americans (see Indians)
Naturalization - Article I Section 8 Clause 4
Navy - Article I Section 8 Clause 13-14; Article II Section 2 Clause 1
“Necessary and proper” clause - Article I Section 8 Clause 18
Nominate - Article II Section 2 Clause 2; Amendment XXV
to top of Subject Index
O
Oath of office, federal and state - Article II Section 1 Clause 8; Article VI
Original jurisdiction - Article III Section 2 Clause 2
to top of Subject Index
P
(subject index still being added)
Pardons and reprieves, President's power - Article II Section 2 Clause 1
People, powers reserved to - Amendment X
Persons - Amendment XIV
Petition the government, right to - Amendment I
“Pocket veto” - Article I Section 7 Clause 2
Poll tax, prohibition - Amendment XXIV
Post offices & roads, Congress' power - Article I Section 8 Clause 7
Presidency, succession to - Article II Section 1; Amendment 20; Amendment 25
President
disability - A25,3
election - Article II Section 1; Amendment 12; Amendment 22; Amendment 23
eligibility for office - Article II Section 1
legislation, role in - Article I Section 7
oath of office - Article II Section 1
powers & duties - Article IV Section 2
term of office & compensation - Article II Section 1
Press, freedom of - A1
Privileges and immunities (of citizens) - Article IV Section 2; Amendment 14 Section 1
Prohibition - Amendment 18; Amendment 21
Property, taking for public use - Amendment 5
Punishments, cruel and unusual - Amendment 8
to top of Subject Index
R
Ratification of Constitution - Article V
Religion, freedom of - Amendment I
Religious oaths - Article VI
Resident (see Inhabitant) - Article II Section 1 Clause 5
to top of Subject Index
S
Search and seizure - Amendment 4
Seas, Congress' power - Article I Section 8
Secrecy - Article I Section 5
Self-incrimination - Amendment 5
Senate
election to & eligibility for - Article I Section 3
equal representation of states - V
officers - Article I Section 3
President of - Article I Section 3;Amendment 12
President of, pro tempore - Article I Section 3;Amendment 25
special powers
impeachment trials - Article I Section 3
Presidential appointments - Article II Section 2
treaties - Article II Section 2
terms of office - Article I Section 3; Article I Section 6
vacancies - Amendment 17
Slavery, prohibition - Amendment 13; A14,4
Soldiers, quartering of - Amendment 3
Speech, freedom of - A1
Spending, Congress' power - Article I Section 8
State of Union message - Article II Section 3
States
and federal elections - Article I Section 4
formation & admission to Union - Article IV Section 3
powers requiring consent of Congress - Article I Section 10
powers reserved to - Amendment 10
protection against invasion, violence - Article IV Section 4
republican form of government guaranteed - Article IV Section 4
suits against - Article III Section 2; Amendment 11
Sundays - Article I Section 7
Supreme law of the land (Constitution) - VI
to top of Subject Index
T
Taxing power
in general - Article I Section 7 Clause 1; Article I Section 8 Clause 1
direct taxes prohibited - Article I Section 9 Clause 4
income taxes permitted - Amendment XVI
Territories - Article IV Section 3 Clause 2
Titles of nobility - Article I Section 9 Clause 8
Treason - Article III Section 3
Treaty(ies) - Article I Section 10 Clause 1; Article II Section 2 Clause 2; Article III Section 2 Clause 1; Article VI Clause 2
Trial - Article I Section 3 Clause 6-7; Article III Section 2 Clause 3; Amendment VI; Amendment VII
to top of Subject Index
V
Veto, President's power - Article I Section 7 Clause 2
Vice-President
conditions for assuming Presidency - Article II Section 1 Clause 6; Amendment XX Section 3; Amendment XXV
declaring President disabled, role in - Amendment XX Section 4; Amendment XXV
succession to - Amendment XX Section 4; Amendment XXV
Senate, role in - Article I Section 3 Clause 4; Amendment XII
term of office - Article II Section 1 Clause 1
Voting rights - Amendment XIV; Amendment XXIV
blacks, former slaves - Amendment XV
eighteen-years-old - Amendment XXVI Section 1
women - Amendment XIX Section 1
to top of Subject Index
W
War powers (see Congress, declaring war, powers; President, powers & duties; States, protection against invasion)
Warrants - Amendment IV
Weights and measures, standards of - Article I Section 8 Clause 5
Women - (see Persons)
to top of Subject Index

Sample code to link from your own web site or email
skip to Ratifications   up to Subject Index
Find in the index your reference and copy the link location. Construct your own link such as: 

<a
href="http://constitutionus.com/#a1s2"
title="Article 1 Section 2 - The House"
>Article 1 Section 2 - The House</a>

change to your own text the part
>Article 1 Section 2 - The House</a>
to 
>your text</a>
if you wish some other description of the link
The title attribute is optional, it is what causes a brief display of what's in the quotes when the cursor is over the link. Remember white space is important in HTML. In this example a line feed is used but it could be a space(s) or tab(s). There must be no white space after the attributes href or title or after the equal sign. What follows the equal sign should be in quotes (double or single, just so they match).  If you are using a composer just fill in the appropriate bits, such as the part between the quotes (after href=) into the href portion of adding a link. Add the attribute 
target="_blank"
to make it open in a new window. 

Text only email will vary you may just use 
http://constitutionus.com/#a1s2 
to send the link, and the text will read the same as the link. Other may require you to add < and > around the link. Send some to yourself to see what your mail client does.

Ratifications
skip to Copyright   up to Sample code

The Constitution


The Constitution was adopted by a convention of the States on September 17, 1787, and was subsequently ratified by the several States, on the following dates:  Delaware, December 7, 1787; Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787; New Jersey, December 18, 1787; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9, 1788; Massachusetts, February 6, 1788; Maryland, April 28, 1788; South Carolina, May 23, 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788.


Ratification was completed on June 21, 1788.


The Constitution was subsequently ratified by Virginia, June 25, 1788; New York, July 26, 1788; North Carolina, November 21, 1789; Rhode Island, May 29, 1790; and Vermont, January 10, 1791.


In May 1785, a committee of Congress made a report recommending an alteration in the Articles of Confederation, but no action was taken on it, and it was left to the State Legislatures to proceed in the matter. In January 1786, the Legislature of Virginia passed a resolution providing for the appointment of five commissioners, who, or any three of them, should meet such commissioners as might be appointed in the other States of the Union, at a time and place to be agreed upon, to take into consideration the trade of the United States; to consider how far a uniform system in their commercial regulations may be necessary to their common interest and their permanent harmony; and to report to the several States such an act, relative to this great object, as, when ratified by them, will enable the United States in Congress effectually to provide for the same. The Virginia commissioners, after some correspondence, fixed the first Monday in September as the time, and the city of Annapolis as the place for the meeting, but only four other States were represented, viz:  Delaware, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; the commissioners appointed by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Rhode Island failed to attend. Under the circumstances of so partial a representation, the commissioners present agreed upon a report, (drawn by Mr. Hamilton, of New York,) expressing their unanimous conviction that it might essentially tend to advance the interests of the Union if the States by which they were respectively delegated would concur, and use their endeavors to procure the concurrenceof the other States, in the appointment of commissioners to meet at Philadelphia on the Second Monday of May following, to take into consideration the situation of the United States; to devise such further provisions as should appear to them necessary to render the Constitution of the Federal Government adequate to the exigencies of the Union; and to report such an act for that purpose to the United States in Congress assembled as, when agreed to by them and afterwards confirmed by the Legislatures of every State, would effectually provide for the same.


Congress, on the 21st of February, 1787, adopted a resolution in favor of a convention, and the Legislatures of those States which had not already done so (with the exception of Rhode Island) promptly appointed delegates. On the 25th of May, sevenStates having convened, George Washington, of Virginia, was unanimously elected President, and the consideration of the proposed constitution was commenced. On the 17th of September, 1787, the Constitution as engrossed and agreed upon was signed by all the members present, except Mr. Gerry of Massachusetts, and Messrs. Mason and Randolph, of Virginia. The president of the convention transmitted it to Congress, with a resolution stating how the proposed Federal Government should be put in operation, and an explanatory letter. Congress, on the 28th of September, 1787, directed the Constitution so framed, with the resolutions and letter concerning the same, to “be transmitted to the several Legislatures in order to be submitted to a convention of delegates chosen in each State by the people thereof, in conformity to the resolves of the convention.”


On the 4th of March, 1789, the day which had been fixed for commencing the operations of Government under the new Constitution, it had been ratified by the conventions chosen in each State to consider it, as follows:  Delaware, December 7, 1787; Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787; New Jersey, December 18, 1787; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9, 1788; Massachusetts, February 6, 1788; Maryland, April 28, 1788; South Carolina, May 23, 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788; Virginia, June 25, 1788; and New York, July 26, 1788.


The President informed Congress, on the 28th of January, 1790, that North Carolina had ratified the Constitution November 21, 1789; and he informed Congress on the 1st of June, 1790, that Rhode Island had ratified the Constitution May 29, 1790. Vermont, in convention, ratified the Constitution January 10, 1791, and was, by an act of Congress approved February 18, 1791, “received and admitted into this Union as a new and entire member of the United States”.   Constitution


[Article I] through [Article X] (The Bill of Rights)


The first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States (and two others, one of which failed of ratification and the other which later became the 27th amendment) were proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the First Congress on September 25, 1789. The first ten amendments were ratified by the following States, and the notifications of ratification by the Governors thereof were successively communicated by the President to Congress: New Jersey, November 20, 1789; Maryland, December 19, 1789; North Carolina, December 22, 1789; South Carolina, January 19, 1790; New Hampshire, January 25, 1790; Delaware, January 28, 1790; New York, February 24, 1790; Pennsylvania, March 10, 1790; Rhode Island, June 7, 1790; Vermont, November 3, 1791; and Virginia, December 15, 1791.


Ratification was completed on December 15, 1791.


The amendments were subsequently ratified by the legislatures of Massachusetts, March 2, 1939; Georgia, March 18, 1939; and Connecticut, April 19, 1939.   Bill of Rights


[Article XI]


The eleventh amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theThird Congress, on the 4th of March 1794; and was declared in a message from the President to Congress, dated the 8th of January, 1798, to have been ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the States. The dates of ratification were:  NewYork, March 27, 1794; Rhode Island, March 31, 1794; Connecticut, May 8, 1794; New Hampshire, June 16, 1794; Massachusetts, June 26, 1794; Vermont, between October 9, 1794 and November 9, 1794; Virginia, November 18, 1794; Georgia, November 29, 1794; Kentucky, December 7, 1794; Maryland, December 26, 1794; Delaware, January 23, 1795; North Carolina, February 7, 1795.


Ratification was completed on February 7, 1795.


The amendment was subsequently ratified by South Carolina on December 4, 1797. New Jersey and Pennsylvania did not take action on the amendment.   amendment 11


[Article XII]


The twelfth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theEighth Congress, on the 9th of December, 1803, in lieu of the original third paragraph of the first section of the second article; and was declared in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 25th of September, 1804, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 13 of the 17 States. The dates of ratification were: North Carolina, December 21, 1803; Maryland, December 24, 1803; Kentucky, December 27, 1803; Ohio, December 30, 1803; Pennsylvania, January 5, 1804; Vermont, January 30, 1804; Virginia, February 3, 1804; New York, February 10, 1804; New Jersey, February 22, 1804; Rhode Island, March 12, 1804; South Carolina, May 15, 1804; Georgia, May 19, 1804; New Hampshire, June 15, 1804.


Ratification was completed on June 15, 1804.


The amendment was subsequently ratified by Tennessee, July 27, 1804.


The amendment was rejected by Delaware, January 18, 1804; Massachusetts, February 3, 1804; Connecticut, at its session begun May 10, 1804.   amendment 12


Article XIII


The thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theThirty-eighth Congress, on the 31st day of January, 1865, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 18th of December, 1865, to have been ratified by the legislatures of twenty-seven of the thirty-six States. The dates of ratification were:  Illinois, February 1, 1865; Rhode Island, February 2, 1865; Michigan, February 2, 1865; Maryland, February 3, 1865; New York, February 3, 1865; Pennsylvania, February 3, 1865; West Virginia, February 3, 1865; Missouri, February 6, 1865; Maine, February 7, 1865; Kansas, February 7, 1865; Massachusetts, February 7, 1865; Virginia, February 9, 1865; Ohio, February 10, 1865; Indiana, February 13, 1865; Nevada, February 16, 1865; Louisiana, February 17, 1865; Minnesota, February 23, 1865; Wisconsin, February 24, 1865; Vermont, March 9, 1865; Tennessee, April 7, 1865; Arkansas, April 14, 1865; Connecticut, May 4, 1865; New Hampshire, July 1, 1865; South Carolina, November 13, 1865; Alabama, December 2, 1865; North Carolina, December 4, 1865; Georgia, December 6, 1865.


Ratification was completed on December 6, 1865.


The amendment was subsequently ratified by Oregon, December 8, 1865; California, December 19, 1865; Florida, December 28, 1865 (Florida again ratified on June 9, 1868, upon its adoption of a new constitution); Iowa, January 15, 1866; New Jersey, January 23, 1866 (after having rejected the amendment on March 16, 1865); Texas, February 18, 1870; Delaware, February 12, 1901 (after having rejected the amendment on February 8, 1865); Kentucky, March 18, 1976 (after having rejected it on February 24, 1865).


The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by Mississippi, December 4, 1865.  amendment 13


Article XIV


The fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theThirty-ninth Congress, on the 13th of June, 1866. It was declared, in a certificate of the Secretary of State dated July 28, 1868 to have been ratified by the legislatures of 28 of the 37 States. The dates of ratification were: Connecticut, June 25, 1866; New Hampshire, July 6, 1866; Tennessee, July 19, 1866; New Jersey, September 11, 1866 (subsequently the legislature rescinded its ratification, and on March 24, 1868, readopted its resolution of rescission over the Governor's veto, and on Nov. 12, 1980, expressed support for the amendment); Oregon, September 19, 1866 (and rescinded its ratification on October 15, 1868); Vermont, October 30, 1866; Ohio, January 4, 1867 (and rescinded its ratification on January 15, 1868); New York, January 10, 1867; Kansas, January 11, 1867; Illinois, January 15, 1867; West Virginia, January 16, 1867; Michigan, January 16, 1867; Minnesota, January 16, 1867; Maine, January 19, 1867; Nevada, January 22, 1867; Indiana, January 23, 1867; Missouri, January 25, 1867; Rhode Island, February 7, 1867; Wisconsin, February 7, 1867; Pennsylvania, February 12, 1867; Massachusetts, March 20, 1867; Nebraska, June 15, 1867; Iowa, March 16, 1868; Arkansas, April 6, 1868; Florida, June 9, 1868; North Carolina, July 4, 1868 (after having rejected it on December 14, 1866); Louisiana, July 9, 1868 (after having rejected it on February 6, 1867); South Carolina, July 9, 1868 (after having rejected it on December 20, 1866).


Ratification was completed on July 9, 1868.


The amendment was subsequently ratified by Alabama, July 13, 1868; Georgia, July 21, 1868 (after having rejected it on November 9, 1866); Virginia, October 8, 1869 (after having rejected it on January 9, 1867); Mississippi, January 17, 1870; Texas, February 18, 1870 (after having rejected it on October 27, 1866); Delaware, February 12, 1901 (after having rejected it on February 8, 1867); Maryland, April 4, 1959 (after having rejected it on March 23, 1867); California, May 6, 1959; Kentucky, March 18, 1976 (after having rejected it on January 8, 1867).   amendment 14


Article XV


The fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theFortieth Congress, on the 26th of February, 1869, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated March 30, 1870, to have been ratified by the legislatures of twenty-nine of the thirty-seven States. The dates of ratification were: Nevada, March 1, 1869; West Virginia, March 3, 1869; Illinois, March 5, 1869; Louisiana, March 5, 1869; North Carolina, March 5, 1869; Michigan, March 8, 1869; Wisconsin, March 9, 1869; Maine, March 11, 1869; Massachusetts, March 12, 1869; Arkansas, March 15, 1869; South Carolina, March 15, 1869; Pennsylvania, March 25, 1869; New York, April 14, 1869 (and the legislature of the same State passed a resolution January 5, 1870, to withdraw its consent to it, which action it rescinded on March 30, 1970); Indiana, May 14, 1869; Connecticut, May 19, 1869; Florida, June 14, 1869; New Hampshire, July 1, 1869; Virginia, October 8, 1869; Vermont, October 20, 1869; Missouri, January 7, 1870; Minnesota, January 13, 1870; Mississippi, January 17, 1870; Rhode Island, January 18, 1870; Kansas, January 19, 1870; Ohio, January 27, 1870 (after having rejected it on April 30, 1869); Georgia, February 2, 1870; Iowa, February 3, 1870.


Ratification was completed on February 3, 1870, unless the withdrawal of ratification by New York was effective; in which event ratification was completed on February 17, 1870, when Nebraska ratified.


The amendment was subsequently ratified by Texas, February 18, 1870; New Jersey, February 15, 1871 (after having rejected it on February 7, 1870); Delaware, February 12, 1901 (after having rejected it on March 18, 1869); Oregon, February 24, 1959; California, April 3, 1962 (after having rejected it on January 28, 1870); Kentucky, March 18, 1976 (after having rejected it on March 12, 1869).


The amendment was approved by the Governor of Maryland, May 7, 1973; Maryland having previously rejected it on February 26, 1870.


The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by Tennessee, November 16, 1869.   amendment 15


Article XVI


The sixteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theSixty-first Congress on the 12th of July, 1909, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 25th of February, 1913, to have been ratified by 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Alabama, August 10, 1909; Kentucky, February 8, 1910; South Carolina, February 19, 1910; Illinois, March 1, 1910; Mississippi, March 7, 1910; Oklahoma, March 10, 1910; Maryland, April 8, 1910; Georgia, August 3, 1910; Texas, August 16, 1910; Ohio, January 19, 1911; Idaho, January 20, 1911; Oregon, January 23, 1911; Washington, January 26, 1911; Montana, January 30, 1911; Indiana, January 30, 1911; California, January 31, 1911; Nevada, January 31, 1911; South Dakota, February 3, 1911; Nebraska, February 9, 1911; North Carolina, February 11, 1911; Colorado, February 15, 1911; North Dakota, February 17, 1911; Kansas, February 18, 1911; Michigan, February 23, 1911; Iowa, February 24, 1911; Missouri, March 16, 1911; Maine, March 31, 1911; Tennessee, April 7, 1911; Arkansas, April 22, 1911 (after having rejected it earlier); Wisconsin, May 26, 1911; New York, July 12, 1911; Arizona, April 6, 1912; Minnesota, June 11, 1912; Louisiana, June 28, 1912; West Virginia, January 31, 1913; New Mexico, February 3, 1913.


Ratification was completed on February 3, 1913.


The amendment was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, March 4, 1913; New Hampshire, March 7, 1913 (after having rejected it on March 2, 1911).


The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Utah.   amendment 16


[Article XVII]


The seventeenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-second Congress on the 13th of May, 1912, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 31st of May, 1913, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Massachusetts, May 22, 1912; Arizona, June 3, 1912; Minnesota, June 10, 1912; New York, January 15, 1913; Kansas, January 17, 1913; Oregon, January 23, 1913; North Carolina, January 25, 1913; California, January 28, 1913; Michigan, January 28, 1913; Iowa, January 30, 1913; Montana, January 30, 1913; Idaho, January 31, 1913; West Virginia, February 4, 1913; Colorado, February 5, 1913; Nevada, February 6, 1913; Texas, February 7, 1913; Washington, February 7, 1913; Wyoming, February 8, 1913; Arkansas, February 11, 1913; Maine, February 11, 1913; Illinois, February 13, 1913; North Dakota, February 14, 1913; Wisconsin, February 18, 1913; Indiana, February 19, 1913; New Hampshire, February 19, 1913; Vermont, February 19, 1913; South Dakota, February 19, 1913; Oklahoma, February 24, 1913; Ohio, February 25, 1913; Missouri, March 7, 1913; New Mexico, March 13, 1913; Nebraska, March 14, 1913; New Jersey, March 17, 1913; Tennessee, April 1, 1913; Pennsylvania, April 2, 1913; Connecticut, April 8, 1913.


Ratification was completed on April 8, 1913.


The amendment was subsequently ratified by Louisiana, June 11, 1914.


The amendment was rejected by Utah (and not subsequently ratified) on February 26, 1913.  amendment 17


Article [XVIII]16


The eighteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theSixty-fifth Congress, on the 18th of December, 1917, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 29th of January, 1919, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Mississippi, January 8, 1918; Virginia, January 11, 1918; Kentucky, January 14, 1918; North Dakota, January 25, 1918; South Carolina, January 29, 1918; Maryland, February 13, 1918; Montana, February 19, 1918; Texas, March 4, 1918; Delaware, March 18, 1918; South Dakota, March 20, 1918; Massachusetts, April 2, 1918; Arizona, May 24, 1918; Georgia, June 26, 1918; Louisiana, August 3, 1918; Florida, December 3, 1918; Michigan, January 2, 1919; Ohio, January 7, 1919; Oklahoma, January 7, 1919; Idaho, January 8, 1919; Maine, January 8, 1919; West Virginia, January 9, 1919; California, January 13, 1919; Tennessee, January 13, 1919; Washington, January 13, 1919; Arkansas, January 14, 1919; Kansas, January 14, 1919; Alabama, January 15, 1919; Colorado, January 15, 1919; Iowa, January 15, 1919; New Hampshire, January 15, 1919; Oregon, January 15, 1919; Nebraska, January 16, 1919; North Carolina, January 16, 1919; Utah, January 16, 1919; Missouri, January 16, 1919; Wyoming, January 16, 1919.


Ratification was completed on January 16, 1919. See Dillon v. Gloss, 256 U.S. 368, 376 (1921).


The amendment was subsequently ratified by Minnesota on January 17, 1919; Wisconsin, January 17, 1919; New Mexico, January 20, 1919; Nevada, January 21, 1919; New York, January 29, 1919; Vermont, January 29, 1919; Pennsylvania, February 25, 1919; Connecticut, May 6, 1919; and New Jersey, March 9, 1922.


The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by Rhode Island.   amendment 18


Women's Suffrage Rights Article [XIX]


The nineteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theSixty-sixth Congress, on the 4th of June, 1919, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 26th of August, 1920, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Illinois, June 10, 1919 (and that State readopted its resolution of ratification June 17, 1919); Michigan, June 10, 1919; Wisconsin, June 10, 1919; Kansas, June 16, 1919; New York, June 16, 1919; Ohio, June 16, 1919; Pennsylvania, June 24, 1919; Massachusetts, June 25, 1919; Texas, June 28, 1919; Iowa, July 2, 1919; Missouri, July 3, 1919; Arkansas, July 28, 1919; Montana, August 2, 1919; Nebraska, August 2, 1919; Minnesota, September 8, 1919; New Hampshire, September 10, 1919; Utah, October 2, 1919; California, November 1, 1919; Maine, November 5, 1919; North Dakota, December 1, 1919; South Dakota, December 4, 1919; Colorado, December 15, 1919; Kentucky, January 6, 1920; Rhode Island, January 6, 1920; Oregon, January 13, 1920; Indiana, January 16, 1920; Wyoming, January 27, 1920; Nevada, February 7, 1920; New Jersey, February 9, 1920; Idaho, February 11, 1920; Arizona, February 12, 1920; New Mexico, February 21, 1920; Oklahoma, February 28, 1920; West Virginia, March 10, 1920; Washington, March 22, 1920; Tennessee, August 18, 1920.


Ratification was completed on August 18, 1920.


The amendment was subsequently ratified by Connecticut on September 14, 1920 (and that State reaffirmed on September 21, 1920); Vermont, February 8, 1921; Delaware, March 6, 1923 (after having rejected it on June 2, 1920); Maryland, March 29, 1941 (after having rejected it on February 24, 1920, ratification certified on February 25, 1958); Virginia, February 21, 1952 (after having rejected it on February 12, 1920); Alabama, September 8, 1953 (after having rejected it on September 22, 1919); Florida, May 13, 1969; South Carolina, July 1, 1969 (after having rejected it on January 28, 1920, ratification certified on August 22, 1973); Georgia, February 20, 1970 (after having rejected it on July 24, 1919); Louisiana, June 11, 1970 (after having rejected it on July 1, 1920); North Carolina, May 6, 1971; Mississippi, March 22, 1984 (after having rejected it on March 29, 1920).   amendment 19


Article [XX]


The twentieth amendment to the Constitution was proposed to the legislatures of the several states by the Seventy-SecondCongress, on the 2d day of March, 1932, and was declared, in a proclamation by the Secretary of State, dated on the 6th day of February, 1933, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Virginia, March 4, 1932; New York, March 11, 1932; Mississippi, March 16, 1932; Arkansas, March 17, 1932; Kentucky, March 17, 1932; New Jersey, March 21, 1932; South Carolina, March 25, 1932; Michigan, March 31, 1932; Maine, April 1, 1932; Rhode Island, April 14, 1932; Illinois, April 21, 1932; Louisiana, June 22, 1932; West Virginia, July 30, 1932; Pennsylvania, August 11, 1932; Indiana, August 15, 1932; Texas, September 7, 1932; Alabama, September 13, 1932; California, January 4, 1933; North Carolina, January 5, 1933; North Dakota, January 9, 1933; Minnesota, January 12, 1933; Arizona, January 13, 1933; Montana, January 13, 1933; Nebraska, January 13, 1933; Oklahoma, January 13, 1933; Kansas, January 16, 1933; Oregon, January 16, 1933; Delaware, January 19, 1933; Washington, January 19, 1933; Wyoming, January 19, 1933; Iowa, January 20, 1933; South Dakota, January 20, 1933; Tennessee, January 20, 1933; Idaho, January 21, 1933; New Mexico, January 21, 1933; Georgia, January 23, 1933; Missouri, January 23, 1933; Ohio, January 23, 1933; Utah, January 23, 1933.


Ratification was completed on January 23, 1933.


The amendment was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts on January 24, 1933; Wisconsin, January 24, 1933; Colorado, January 24, 1933; Nevada, January 26, 1933; Connecticut, January 27, 1933; New Hampshire, January 31, 1933; Vermont, February 2, 1933; Maryland, March 24, 1933; Florida, April 26, 1933.   amendment 20


Article [XXI]


The twenty-first amendment to the Constitution was proposed to the several states by the Seventy-Second Congress, on the 20th day of February, 1933, and was declared, in a proclamation by the Secretary of State, dated on the 5th day of December, 1933, to have been ratified by 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Michigan, April 10, 1933; Wisconsin, April 25, 1933; Rhode Island, May 8, 1933; Wyoming, May 25, 1933; New Jersey, June 1, 1933; Delaware, June 24, 1933; Indiana, June 26, 1933; Massachusetts, June 26, 1933; New York, June 27, 1933; Illinois, July 10, 1933; Iowa, July   amendment 21


Amendment XXII


Passed by Congress March 21, 1947. Ratified February 27, 1951.   amendment 22


Amendment XXIII


Passed by Congress June 16, 1960. Ratified March 29, 1961.   amendment 23


Amendment XXIV


Passed by Congress August 27, 1962. Ratified January 23, 1964.   amendment 24


Amendment XXV


Passed by Congress July 6, 1965. Ratified February 10, 1967.   amendment 25


Amendment XXVI


Passed by Congress March 23, 1971. Ratified July 1, 1971.   amendment 26


Amendment XXVII


Originally proposed Sept. 25, 1789. Ratified May 7, 1992.


The date of September 25, 1789, is correct. The amendment was initially ratified by 6 states (MD, NC, SC, DE, VT, VA), and the other 8 states excluded, omitted, rejected, or excepted it. The amendment was ratified by various states over time, and in 1992 was fully ratified as an amendment to the Constitution.


For more information see: United States. The Constitution of the United States of America : with a summary of the actions by the states in ratification thereof ; to which is appended, for its historical interest, the Constitution of the Confederate States of America / prepared and distributed by the Virginia on Constitutional Government. Richmond : Virginia Commission on Constitutional Government, 1961. 94 p.  amendment 27


Copyright and Contact
skip to Outside navigation  up to Ratifications
this HTML version © MMIII - MMXIV by George W. Baltzell - this hypertext page may be linked to, but not copied.
webmaster@constitutionus.com


Outside navigation
The Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776 
This site listed on:
The open directory project under: Regional: North_America: United_States: Government: Law: Constitution

thumb_up
0
thumb_down
0
1 comment
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 3d
no
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
im tired guys
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who
4d
im tired guys
thumb_up
1
thumb_down
0
5 comments
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
same
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
IDC
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
I'm annoyed so please leave me alone
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
k bye
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
WHAT?
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
you know that awkward moment when accidentally copy and paste the whole declaration of Independence in a padlet
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren
4d
you know that awkward moment when accidentally copy and paste the whole declaration of Independence in a padlet 
when in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

thumb_up
0
thumb_down
0
1 comment
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
amelia copied me
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
boop
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren
4d
boop
thumb_up
1
thumb_down
0
8 comments
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
boop bop
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
boop boop
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
Boppity bop
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
sorry i just ruined that
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
u ruined the boops
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
*insert shocked face here*
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
What
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
sorreeeee
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
what are you guys doing with your lives
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who
4d
what are you guys doing with your lives
thumb_up
1
thumb_down
0
11 comments
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
um, idk how to answer that question. do you want me to tell you what I do everyday?
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
welp
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
ok
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
nooooo
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
pls dont
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
fine
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
ugh
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
I'm DEPRESSED Bc YOU KEEP ON DELETING MY POSTS!
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
I DIDNT
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
ELLE DID
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
ELLE
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
have you ever seen an emperor tamrin monkey?
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren
4d
have you ever seen an emperor tamrin monkey? 
search them up. you will thank me later
thumb_up
0
thumb_down
0
8 comments
Avatar of Selina Ren
Selina Ren 4d
DO IT
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
WHY
Avatar of Scarlet Jacobson
Scarlet Jacobson 4d
baby capuchin monkey
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
HI
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
moostace
Avatar of You'll never know who
You'll never know who 4d
oof i spelled that wrong
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
3
Avatar of Amelia Zhao
Amelia Zhao 4d
neverming
Your avatar
Add comment

more_vert
</title>

# data[].attributes.body
like who do i have a crush on

# data[].attributes.body
um...

# data[].attributes.body
national reports due tomorrow/today
need:
-4 maps
-6 essays
-title and cover
-news article
-caffeine (jk)
-binder
-that time stone, u kno

# data[].attributes.body
national reports due tomorrow/today
need:
-4 maps
-6 essays
- 5 hours of work

# data[].attributes.headline
what did you guys do to this beautiful wall

# data[].attributes.subject
what did you guys do to this beautiful wall

# data[].attributes.body
(Grayson C and Brady M)
dont tell them.
i dont, but travis does
so yeah

Put your ships in the comments!

# data[].attributes.body
like hamilton and deh and bmc

# data[].attributes.body
amelia ruined it and this is my face:

# data[].attributes.body
@azha8590
whos the dude on ur profile pic
hi yes

# data[].attributes.headline
guys look at this cool dress my mom bought me

# data[].attributes.subject
guys look at this cool dress my mom bought me

# data[].attributes.body
phsyc its jumper you were fooled

# data[].attributes.body
this is not okay

# data[].attributes.body
The Constitution of the United States

The Bill of Rights & All Amendments

A highly accessible, easy to use online version full text transcript including the Bill of Rights and the rest of the Amendments with both sequential and subject indexes.

Note—spellings are from the original documents: see list.

Index (access key I)

Subject Index (access key S)

For first time users, vision settings, and hide clause #s. (access key H)

skip to Letter of Transmittal

Full size web images of The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights are also available for viewing.

Constitution Day is September 17.

¹

(Preamble)

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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.

Article I (Article 1 - Legislative)

Section 1

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section 2

1: The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

2: No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

3: Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.²  The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed onefor every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolinafive, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

4: When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

5: The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Section 3

1: The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof,³ for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

2: Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of thesecond Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.4

3: No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

4: The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

5: The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.

6: The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

7: Judgment in Cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Section 4

1: The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusingSenators.

2: The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December,⁵ unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Section 5

1: Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

2: Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with theConcurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.

3: Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire ofone fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

4: Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Section 6

1: The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.⁶ They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

2: No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

Section 7

1: All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

2: Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

3: Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Section 8

1: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

2: To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

3: To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

4: To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

5: To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

6: To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

7: To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

8: To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

9: To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

10: To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

11: To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

12: To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

13: To provide and maintain a Navy;

14: To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

15: To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

16: To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

17: To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;—And

18: To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Section 9

1: The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

2: The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

3: No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

4: No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.7

5: No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

6: No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

7: No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

8: No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Section 10

1: No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

2: No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

3: No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Article II (Article 2 - Executive)

Section 1

1: The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows

2: Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

3: The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.8

4: The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

5: No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

6: In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers andDuties of the said Office,⁹ the Same shall devolve on the VicePresident, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

7: The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any otherEmolument from the United States, or any of them.

8: Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Section 2

1: The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

2: He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

3: The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

Section 3

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

Section 4

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Article III (Article 3 - Judicial)

Section 1

The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Section 2

1: The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;—to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;—to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;—to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;—to Controversies between two or more States;—between a State and Citizens of another State;¹⁰ —between Citizens of different States, —between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.

2: In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellateJurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.

3: The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

Section 3

1: Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

2: The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

Article IV (Article 4 - States' Relations)

Section 1

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

Section 2

1: The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.

2: A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

3: No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.11

Section 3

1: New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

2: The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Section 4

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.

Article V (Article 5 - Mode of Amendment)

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures ofthree fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

Article VI (Article 6 - Prior Debts, National Supremacy, Oaths of Office)

1: All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

2: This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

3: The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Article VII (Article 7 - Ratification)

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

The Word "the", being interlined between the seventh and eight Lines of the first Page, The Word "Thirty" being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page. The Words "is tried" being interlined between the thirty second and thirty thirdLines of the first Page and the Word "the" being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.

|
done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,
AttestWilliam Jackson Secretary |   Go: Washington -Presidt. and deputy from Virginia
Delaware  Geo: Read
Gunning Bedford jun
John Dickinson
Richard Bassett
Jaco: Broom
Maryland  James McHenry
Dan of St   Thos. Jenifer
Danl Carroll.
Virginia  John Blair—
James Madison Jr.
North Carolina  Wm Blount
Richd. Dobbs Spaight.
Hu Williamson
South Carolina  J. Rutledge
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
Charles Pinckney
Pierce Butler.
Georgia  William Few
Abr Baldwin
New Hampshire  John Langdon
Nicholas Gilman
Massachusetts  Nathaniel Gorham
Rufus King
Connecticut  Wm.   Saml. Johnson
Roger Sherman
New York  Alexander Hamilton
New Jersey  Wil. Livingston
David Brearley.
Wm. Paterson.
Jona: Dayton
Pennsylvania  B Franklin
Thomas Mifflin
Robt Morris
Geo. Clymer
Thos. FitzSimons
Jared Ingersoll
James Wilson.
Gouv Morris

Letter of Transmittal

skip to Letter of Transmittal to Congress   up to the Constitution

In Convention. Monday September 17th 1787.
Present
The States of

New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Mr. Hamilton from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

Resolved, That the preceeding Constitution be laid before the United States in Congress assembled, and that it is the Opinion of this Convention, that it should afterwards be submitted to a Convention of Delegates, chosen in each State by the People thereof, under the Recommendation of its Legislature, for their Assent and Ratification; and that each Convention assenting to, and ratifying the Same, should give Notice thereof to the United States in Congress assembled. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Convention, that as soon as the Conventions of nine States shall have ratified this Constitution, the United States in Congress assembled should fix a Day on which Electors should be appointed by the States which shall have ratified the same, and a Day on which the Electors should assemble to vote for the President, and the Time and Place for commencing Proceedings under this Constitution.
That after such Publication the Electors should be appointed, and the Senators and Representatives elected: That the Electors should meet on the Day fixed for the Election of the President, and should transmit their Votes certified, signed, sealed and directed, as the Constitution requires, to the Secretary of the United States in Congress assembled, that the Senators and Representatives should convene at the Time and Place assigned; that the Senators should appoint a President of the Senate, for the sole Purpose of receiving, opening and counting the Votes for President; and, that after he shall be chosen, the Congress, together with the President, should, without Delay, proceed to execute this Constitution.

| By the unanimous Order of the Convention
W. Jackson  Secretary. | Go: Washington -Presidt.

Letter of Transmittal to the President of Congress

skip to Amendments   up to Letter of Transmittal

In Convention.  Monday September 17th 1787.

SIR:

We have now the honor to submit to the consideration of the United States in Congress assembled, that Constitution which has appeared to us the most advisable.

The friends of our country have long seen and desired that the power of making war, peace, and treaties, that of levying money, and regulating commerce, and the correspondent executive and judicial authorities, should be fully and effectually vested in the General Government of the Union; but the impropriety of delegating such extensive trust to one body of men is evident: hence results the necessity of a different organization.

It is obviously impracticable in the Federal Government of these States to secure all rights of independent sovereignty to each, and yet provide for the interest and safety of all. Individuals entering into society must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest. The magnitude of the sacrifice must depend as well on situation and circumstance, as on the object to be obtained. It is at all times difficult to draw with precision the line between those rights which must be surrendered, and those which may be preserved; and, on the present occasion, this difficulty was increased by a difference among the several States as to their situation, extent, habits, and particular interests.

In all our deliberations on this subject, we kept steadily in our view that which appears to us the greatest interest of every true American, the consolidation of our Union, in which is involved our prosperity, felicity, safety—perhaps our national existence. This important consideration, seriously and deeply impressed on our minds, led each State in the Convention to be less rigid on points of inferior magnitude than might have been otherwise expected; and thus, the Constitution which we now present is the result of a spirit of amity, and of that mutual deference and concession, which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensable.

That it will meet the full and entire approbation of every State is not, perhaps, to be expected; but each will, doubtless, consider, that had her interest alone been consulted, the consequences might have been particularly disagreeable or injurious to others; that it is liable to as few exceptions as could reasonably have been expected, we hope and believe; that it may promote the lasting welfare of that Country so dear to us all, and secure her freedom and happiness, is our most ardent wish.

With great respect,
we have the honor to be,
SIR,
your excellency's most obedient and humble servants:
GEORGE WASHINGTON, President.
By the unanimous order of the convention.

His Excellency
the President of Congress.

Amendments to the Constitution

skip to Notes   up to Letter of Transmittal to Congress

(The procedure for changing the United States Constitution is Article V - Mode of Amendment)

(The Preamble to The Bill of Rights)

Congress OF THE United States

begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.12

(Articles I through X are known as the Bill of Rights)   ratified

-

Article the first. ....  After the first enumeration required by the first Article of the Constitution, there shall be one Representative for every thirty thousand, until the number shall amount to one hundred, after which, the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall be not less than one hundred Representatives, nor less than one Representative for every forty thousand persons, until the number of Representatives shall amount to two hundred, after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall not be less than two hundred Representatives, nor more than one Representative for every fifty thousand persons.

-

Article the second. ....  No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened. see Amendment XXVII

Article [I] (Amendment 1 - Freedom of expression and religion) 13

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Article [II] (Amendment 2 - Bearing Arms)

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Article [III] (Amendment 3 - Quartering Soldiers)

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Article [IV] (Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure)

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Article [V] (Amendment 5 - Rights of Persons)

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Article [VI] (Amendment 6 - Rights of Accused in Criminal Prosecutions)

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Article [VII] (Amendment 7 - Civil Trials)

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Article [VIII] (Amendment 8 - Further Guarantees in Criminal Cases)

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Article [IX] (Amendment 9 - Unenumerated Rights)

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Article [X] (Amendment 10 - Reserved Powers)

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Attest,
John Beckley, Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Sam. A. Otis  Secretary of the Senate. |     | Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg  Speaker of the House of Representatives.
John Adams, Vice-President of the United States, and President of the Senate.
(end of the Bill of Rights)

[Article XI] (Amendment 11 - Suits Against States)

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.   ratified #11   affects 10

[Article XII] (Amendment 12 - Election of President)

The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;—The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;—The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President.¹⁴  —The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.  ratified #12   affects 8

Article XIII (Amendment 13 - Slavery and Involuntary Servitude)

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. affects 11

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.   ratified #13

Article XIV (Amendment 14 - Rights Guaranteed: Privileges and Immunities of Citizenship, Due Process, and Equal Protection)

1: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

2: Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-oneyears of age,¹⁵  and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.   affects 2

3: No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

4: The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

5: The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.   ratified #14

Article XV (Amendment 15 - Rights of Citizens to Vote)

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.   ratified #15

Article XVI (Amendment 16 - Income Tax)

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionmentamong the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.   ratified #16    affects 2

[Article XVII] (Amendment 17 - Popular Election of Senators)

1: The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for sixyears; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures. affects 3

2: When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies:  Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct. affects 4

3: This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.   ratified #17

Article [XVIII] (Amendment 18 - Prohibition of Intoxicating Liquors)16

1: After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

2: The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

3: This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.   ratified #18

Article [XIX] (Amendment 19 - Women's Suffrage Rights)

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. affects 15

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.   ratified #19

Article [XX] (Amendment 20 - Terms of President, Vice President, Members of Congress: Presidential Vacancy)

1: The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.   affects 5

2: The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.   affects 5

3: If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.   affects 9    affects 14

4: The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.   affects 9

5: Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.

6: This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.   ratified #20

Article [XXI] (Amendment 21 - Repeal of Eighteenth Amendment)

1: The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed. affects 16

2: The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

3: This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.   ratified #21

Amendment XXII (Amendment 22 - Presidential Tenure)

1: No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

2: This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures ofthree-fourths of the several states within seven years from the date of its submission to the states by the Congress.    ratified #22

Amendment XXIII (Amendment 23 - Presidential Electors for the District of Columbia)

1: The District constituting the seat of government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct: A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a state, but in no event more than the least populous state; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the states, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a state; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.

2: The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.   ratified #23

Amendment XXIV (Amendment 24 - Abolition of the Poll Tax Qualification in Federal Elections)

1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.   ratified #24

Amendment XXV  affects 9 (Amendment 25 - Presidential Vacancy, Disability, and Inability)

1: In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

2: Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

3: Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.

4: Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.   ratified #25

Amendment XXVI (Amendment 26 - Reduction of Voting Age Qualification)

1: The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age. affects 15

2: The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.   ratified #26

Amendment XXVII (Amendment 27 - Congressional Pay Limitation)

No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.   ratified #27

NOTES

skip to Dates  up to Amendments

Note 1: This text of the Constitution follows the engrossed copy signed by Gen. Washington and the deputies from 12 States. The arabic numerals preceding the paragraphs designate Clauses, and were not printed (but are referred to) in the original and have no reference to footnotes that appear as small superior figures (superscripts). ratification

Note 2: The part of Article 1 Section 2 Clause 3 relating to the mode of apportionment of representatives among the several States has been affected by Amendment XIV Section 2, and as to taxes on incomes without apportionment by Amendment XVI.

Note 3: Article 1 Section 3 Clause 1 has been affected by Amendment XVII Section 1.

Note 4: Article 1 Section 3 Clause 2 has been affected by Amendment XVII Section 2.

Note 5: Article 1 Section 4 Clause 2 has been affected by Amendment XX.

Note 6: Article 1 Section 6 Clause 1 has been affected by Amendment XXVII.

Note 7: Article 1 Section 9 Clause 4 has been affected by Amendment XVI.

Note 8: Article 2 Section 1 Clause 3 has been superseded by Amendment XII.

Note 9: Article 2 Section 1 Clause 6 has been affected by Amendment XX and Amendment XXV.

Note 10: Article 3 Section 2 Clause 1 has been affected by Amendment XI.

Note 11: Article 4 Section 2 Clause 3 has been affected by Amendment XIII Section 1.

Note 12: The first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States are known as the Bill of Rights

Note 13: The Bill of Rights only had ten of the twelve articles ratified and these were then renumbered. Of the others only the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th articles of amendment had numbers assigned to them at the time of ratification.

Note 14: This sentence of Amendment XII has been superseded by Amendment XX Section 3.

Note 15: Article XIV Section 2 is modified by Amendment XIX Section 1 and Amendment XXVI Section 1.

Note 16: Amendment XVIII repealed by Amendment XXI Section 1.

Dates

skip to Spellings  up to Notes

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.

Sept. 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.

Mar. 4, 1789: The first Congress under the Constitution convenes in New York City.

Apr. 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.

Sept. 24, 1789: Congress establishes a Supreme Court, 13 district courts, three ad hoc circuit courts, and the position of Attorney General.

Sept. 25, 1789: Congress approves 12 amendments and sends them to the states for ratification.

Feb.  2, 1790: Supreme Court convenes for the first time after an unsuccessful attempt February 1.

Dec. 15, 1791: Virginia ratifies the Bill of Rights, and 10 of the 12 proposed amendments become part of the U.S. Constitution.

Spellings

skip to Vocabulary   up to Dates
Some words now have different spellings:

behaviour

- behavior

chuse

- choose

chusing

- choosing

controul

- control

defence

- defense

encreased

- increased

erazure

- erasure

labour

- labor

offences

- offenses

Punctuation, hyphenation and grammar usage have also changed.

Vocabulary

skip to Sources   up to Spellings
Also check the Government Printing Office's Ben's Guide for Kids

3d

- 3rd (third)

abridged

- shortened

adjourn

- suspend proceedings to another time

adjournment

- suspending proceedings to another time

appellate

- appeal (review decision)

appropriation

- authorize spending

apportioned

- distributed

apportionment

- distributing

attainted

- disgrace

Bill of Attainder

- legislative act pronouncing guilt without trial

capitation

- poll tax

cession

- grant

comity

- courteous recognition of laws and institutions of another (state)

commenced

- started

concur

- agree

concurrant

- at the same time

concurrence

- agreement

concurring

- in agreement

construed

- interpreted

Corruption of Blood

- punishment of person and heirs

counsel

- lawyer

declaratory

- explaining law or right

democracy

- this word is not in these documents directly, but “We the people” and “Republican Form of Government” are - most people say our form of government is a “Federal Democratic Republic”

devolved

- passed on or delegated to another

disparage

- belittle

duties

- job

duties

- charge (like a tax)

duty

- job

duty

- charge (like a tax)

Duty of Tonnage

- charge by weight

emolument

- power and/or pay

emoluments

- power and/or pay

engrossed

- final draft

enumeration

- count or list

ex post facto

- (latin)  after the fact

excises

- internal taxes

Habeas Corpus

- a writ in court for release of unlawful restraint - (latin)  produce body [of evidence]

imminent

- about to occur - do not confuse with eminent or immanent

impeachment

- formal accusation of wrongdoing

impeachments

- formal accusations of wrongdoing

imposts

- taxes or duties, that are imposed

indictment

- formal charges

jurisdiction

- right to control

Letters of Marque

- (grant right of piracy) - document issued by a nation allowing a private citizen to seize citizens or goods of another nation

magazines

- ammunition storerooms

ordain

- order

prescribed

- establish a rule

privileged

- rights given a group

pro tempore

- temporary - (latin)  for a time

posterity

- descendants

quartered

- housed

quartering

- housing

quorum

- minimum valid number of people

redress

- correct a wrong

repassed

- passed again

reprisal

- retaliation

republican

- representative and officers elected by citizens and responsible to them

suffrage

- vote

- voting

tranquility

- peace

treason

- betrayal of country

vessels

- ships

vested

- given the right

viz.

- abbreviation for (latin)  videlicet - namely (and when read aloud spoken as namely) from: The Columbia Guide to Standard American English

welfare

- well-being

writ

- order

writs

- orders

How to read Roman numerals:

The upper case letter I represents the arabic 1.

The upper case letter V represents the arabic 5.

The upper case letter X represents the arabic 10.

The upper case letter L represents the arabic 50. (not used in this document)

The upper case letter C represents the arabic 100. (not used in this document)

The upper case letter D represents the arabic 500. (not used in this document)

The upper case letter M represents the arabic 1,000. (not used in this document)

A bar placed over a letter or group of letters multiplies that value by 1,000. (not used in this document)

If the letter to the right represents an equal or smaller value the numbers ADD. XXII is 22.

If the letter to the right is a larger value then the numbers SUBTRACT. IV is 4. Only I is used with V or X, X with L or C, and C with D or M.

There is no zero!

Both C and M often still appear in commerce mixed with arabic therefore if someone orders a quantity of 5M, they want 5,000 not 5 million.

A few more samples: XCV = 95, XIII = 13, XCIX = 99, XLIX = 49

If supported in the browser, hovering the cursor over the Roman number in this document will display the arabic equivalent for a short time.

Given (first) name abbreviations:

George

- Go:

- Geo:

- Geo.

Jacob

- Jaco:

Daniel

- Dan

- Danl

William

- Wm

- Wm.

- Wil.

Richard

- Richd

John

- J.

Abraham

- Abr

Samuel

- Saml

- Sam.

Johnathan

- Jona:

Robert

- Robt

Thomas

- Thos

Gouverneur

- Gouv

Of course B Franklin is Benjamin Franklin, jun and Jr. are junior, and Presidt. is President.

See the following sources:

skip to How to use   up to Vocabulary

(Links open a new window - Not responsible for the content of any outside links)

US Government archives - includes images of the documents and biographies of the signers

Federalist Papers - these 85 essays may be the best source of what the framers of the constitution had in mind.

Ben's Guide for Kids Spanish & French versions and some history

Publications.USA.gov

Lesson Plans at the Library of Congress

How to use this version

skip to Accessibility   up to Sources
Select vision as needed

Good Vision
Low vision
Very low vision

Hide Clause #s (Access key N)
Show Clause #s (Access key V)

( 1. Sample Clause or Ammendment Section)
Hide/Show will take several seconds (up to minutes with IE & AOL on Windows)
To Constitution  or To Amendments,  To Index (access key I)  or Subject Index (access key S)

To bookmark this page right click (on Mac hold click) on: ConstitutionUS.com
Some features are browser dependent.

Historic spellings, punctuation, hyphenation and grammar are retained. A spelling list is provide and in most browsers simply placing the cursor over the word will bring up the current spelling for a short time.

Some words are not in everyday vocabulary. A vocabulary list is provide and in most browsers simply placing the cursorover the word or phrase will bring up an alternative for a short time.

The division into clauses, not in the original, makes it easier to reference specific portions of the document allowing both an internal index and for use by external web pages such as teachers guide, or to emphasize a point of a given political point of view in a web page or email.

Placing the cursor over a article number will display the article number as arabic and to what the article pertains.

Placing the cursor over a section number will display the article and section number and to what the section pertains.

Placing the cursor over a clause number will display the article, section and clause number and to what the clause pertains. Note: Sections with a single clause have no clause number. If clause numbers are hidden just hover over the first letter of the clause.

If the hover feature is not available the short title of the article, section, or clause is listed in the index.

Some documents call the division of amendments sections, others clauses, amendment 20 refers to its divisions as sections. They will be called sections in this document.

The title attribute (not to be confused with the <TITLE> tag) used in this document in an attempt to provide quick vocabulary, spelling, heading group short titles, and other helps has been defined as a part of the Hyper Text Markup Language from its earliest days in the Anchor and LINK tags. The proper handling was suggested in 1997 with this handling repeated as part of the HTML 4.0 (and added to most tag types) later in the same year from the W3C. If the browser does not support this (i.e. Safari 1.1.1 v100.1 and before only work in clickable links, others - see table below) then most of the same information is duplicated in various sections such as spelling list, index and vocabulary list including how to read roman numerals.

Footnotes are links displayed as superscripted arabic numbers (superior figures) and the text that they modify are displayed in a gray when using the normal stylesheet. Gray was chosen to leave the text readable as opposed to strikeout

The punctuation around articles and section numbers have been removed since this practice has fallen into disuse and adds little to the feel of this version. (Article. I. becomes Article I)

Article 1 Section 9 Clause 1 - Importation of Slaves; is shown as no longer in effect since its built in date has passed.

Most transcriptions show the "Attest 'William Jackson' Secretary" at the end of the other signatures as if validating those. This one shows that he, more likely, was attesting to the document itself or possibly the list of corrections in the document.

The Bill of Rights had twelve numbered articles but only ten were ratified. Since they were renumbered only the two unratified, which are shown in gray, are shown with the original number (as in Article the first) to try to avoid confusion.

A note for anyone looking at the image of the Bill of Rights above or any document of a similar period is the usage of an elongated s that can often be confused with the letter f. The typical usage rules in this period seem to be that the elongated s is the main lower case s unless at the end of a word or the second s of a pair. Today the elongated s ( ∫ ) is typically only used in mathematical formulae as the notation for integral. There is a story that Shakespeare who spelled his own name Shakspere or Shakspeare gained the extra e when a typesetter had trouble fitting the elongated s next to the k.

To Constitution  or To Amendments,  To Index (access key I)  or Subject Index (access key S)

Why another web version?

Yes there are about 2,000 or so online versions. And about a 100 times that as partial versions. The better of some of the others are listed above in Sources.

This is built for ease of use. With the built-in vocabulary it's hoped that it can be used as well by kids, and those for which english is not the first language with a minimum of outside reference.

This is all loaded in one page. The Constitution, Amendments (including the Bill of Rights), Notes, spellings, vocabulary, index, ratifications for simpler browsing. Though it may take up to a minute to fully load with a slow modem connection, there is no reload time going from section to section.

This attempts to stay out of the way while reading but bring quick access to notations, vocabulary, and spelling variations as well as ratifications.

You may read it the way you like. Top to bottom. Jumping from Articles to Amendments that modify them to ratification information in any order.

Other than the vocabulary it is offered very deliberately without interpretation.

It is usable without style sheets as well as supplying a standard and two low vision style sheets.

Supplies links so that anyone can point to a section, clause or amendment for someone else to be able to see in context with annotation available to that reader.

small browser test area

Hovering the cursor over each item below should bring up a help balloon (tool-tip) and/or display in the link area at the bottom of the browser the words title and the tag it is in.
abbr dfn bold
anchor no href anchor with href

Accessibility

skip to Index   up to How to Use
This is a privately owned page and not required to meet any guidelines, however:
An attempt has been made to provide additional accessibility to this important document.
Basic web standards are used. In addition it has been checked for U.S. Section 508 compliance with Cynthia Saystm Portal
Some of the challenges that may still be present are:

Historic spellings are retained. For visual users both a section presenting a list of historic and current spellings is given and in most modern visual user agents (browsers) simply hovering the cursor over the word will bring up the current spelling for a short time. Aural (voice) agents may or may not have difficulty.

Some words are not in everyday vocabulary. The method is the same as for spelling.

Historic grammar, punctuation and hyphenation are retained.

The division into clauses, not in the original, while making it easier to reference specific portions of the document may make the straight reading of the document somewhat more tedious. These can be hidden if the browser will support the “Hide clause #s” button above.

Basic font size setting is left at browser setting in the preferred screen style sheet, doubled in the low vision screen style sheet.

A very low vision screen style sheet provides white on black and fonts 4x default size.

The hovering the cursor feature does not have any way of changing the displayed font size in any presently known browser nor does any style sheet standard have a setting for this purpose.

Index

skip to Subject Index   up to Accessibility

THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

(Preamble)

Article I - The Legislative

Section 1 - Congress

Section 2 - The House of Representatives

Clause 1 - Congressional Districting

Clause 2 - Qualification of Members of Congress

Clause 3 - Apportionment of Seats in the House

Clause 4 - Vacancies

Clause 5 - Officers and Power of Impeachment

Section 3 - The Senate

Clause 1 - Composition and Selection

Clause 2 - Classes of Senators

Clause 3 - Qualifications

Clause 4 - The Vice President

Clause 5 - Officers

Clause 6 - Trial of Impeachment

Clause 7 - Judgments on Impeachment

Section 4 - Elections

Clause 1 - Congressional Power to Regulate

Clause 2 - Time of Assembling

Section 5 - Powers and Duties of the House

Clause 1 - Power to Judge Elections

Clause 2 - Rules of Proceedings

Clause 3 - Duty to Keep a Journal

Clause 4 - Adjournments

Section 6 - Rights and Disabilities of Members

Clause 1 - Compensation and Immunities

Clause 2 - Disabilities

Section 7 - Legislative Process

Clause 1 - Revenue Bills

Clause 2 - Approval by the President

Clause 3 - Presentation of Resolutions

Section 8 - Powers of Congress

Clause 1 - Power to Tax and Spend

Clause 2 - Borrowing Power

Clause 3- Commerce Power

Clause 4 - Naturalization and Bankruptcies

Clause 5 - Money

Clause 6 - Money

Clause 7 - Post Office

Clause 8 - Copyrights and Patent

Clause 9- Creating of Courts

Clause 10 - Maritime Crimes

Clause 11 - War; Military Establishment

Clause 12 - War; Military Establishment

Clause 13 - War; Military Establishment

Clause 14 - War; Military Establishment

Clause 15 - The Militia

Clause 16 - The Militia

Clause 17 - District of Columbia; Federal Property

Clause 18 - Necessary Clause

Section 9 - Powers Denied Congress

Clause 1 - Importation of Slaves

Clause 2 - Habeas Corpus  Suspension

Clause 3 - Bill of Attainder and Ex Post Facto Laws

Clause 4 - Taxes

Clause 5 - Duties on Exports from States

Clause 6- Preference to Ports

Clause 7- Appropriations and Accounting of Public Money

Clause 8 - Titles of Nobility; Presents

Section 10 - Powers Denied to the States

Clause 1 - Not to Make Treaties, Coin Money, Pass Ex Post Facto Laws, Impair Contracts

Clause 2 - Not to Levy Duties on Exports and Imports

Clause 3 - Not to Lay Tonnage Duties, Keep Troops, Make Compacts, or Engage in War

Article II - Executive

Section 1 - The President

Clause 1 - Powers and Term of the President

Clause 2 - Election

Clause 3 - Election

Clause 4 - Election

Clause 5 - Qualifications

Clause 6 - Presidential Succession

Clause 7 - Compensation and Emolument

Clause 8 - Oath of Office

Section 2 - Powers and Duties of the President

Clause 1 - Commander-in-Chiefship; Presidential Advisers;

Clause 2 - Treaties and Appointment of Officers

Clause 3 - Vacancies during Recess of Senate

Section 3 - Legislative, Diplomatic, and Law Enforcement

Section 4 - Impeachment

Article III - Judicial

Section 1 - Judicial Power, Courts, Judges

Section 2 - Judicial Power and Jurisdiction

Clause 1 - Cases and Controversies; Grants of Jurisdiction

Clause 2 - Original and Appellate Jurisdiction; Exceptions and Regulations of Appellate Jurisdiction

Clause 3 - Trial by Jury

Section 3 - Treason

Clause 1 - Definition and Limitations

Clause 2 - Punishment

Article IV - States' Relations

Section 1 - Full Faith and Credit

Section 2 - Interstate Comity

Clause 1 - State Citizenship: Privileges and Immunities

Clause 2 - Interstate Rendition

Clause 3 - Fugitives from Labor

Section 3 - Admission of New States to Union; Property of United State

Clause 1 - Admission of New States to Union

Clause 2 - Property of the United States

Section 4 - Obligations of United States to States

Article V - Mode of Amendment

Article VI - Prior Debts, National Supremacy, Oaths of Office

Clause 1 - Validity of Prior Debts and Engagements

Clause 2 - Supremacy of the Constitution, Laws and Treaties

Clause 3 - Oath of Office

Article VII - Ratification

Letter of Transmittal

Letter of Transmittal to the President of Congress

Amendments to the Constitution

(The Preamble to The Bill of Rights)

(Articles I through X are known as the Bill of Rights)

Article [I] - Freedom of expression and religion

Article [II] - Bearing Arms

Article [III] - Quartering Soldiers

Article [IV] - Search and Seizure

Article [V] - Rights of Persons

Article [VI] - Rights of Accused in Criminal Prosecutions

Article [VII] - Civil Trials

Article [VIII] - Further Guarantees in Criminal Cases

Article [IX] - Unenumerated Rights

Article [X] - Reserved Powers

[Article XI] - Suits Against States

[Article XII] - Election of President

Article XIII - Slavery and Involuntary Servitude

Section 1 - Slavery and Involuntary Servitude

Section 2 - Enforcement

Article XIV - Rights Guaranteed: Privileges and Immunities of Citizenship, Due Process, and Equal Protection

Section 1 - Rights Guaranteed

Section 2 - Apportionment of Representation

Section 3 - Disqualification and Public Debt

Section 4 - Disqualification and Public Debt

Section 5 - Enforcement

Article XV - Rights of Citizens to Vote

Article XVI - Income Tax

[Article XVII] - Popular Election of Senators

Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

Article [XVIII] - Prohibition of Intoxicating Liquor

Section 1 - Prohibition of Intoxicating Liquors

Section 2 - Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power

Section 3 - Ratification

Article [XIX] - Women's Suffrage Rights

Section 1 - Women's Suffrage Rights

Section 2 - Enforcement

Article [XX] - Terms of President, Vice President, Members of Congress: Presidential Vacancy

Section 1 - Terms of President, Vice President, Senators, and Representatives

Section 2 - Time of assembling Congress

Section 3 - Filling vacancy in office of President

Section 4 - Power of Congress in Presidential succession

Section 5 - Time of taking effect

Section 6 - Ratification

Article [XXI] - Repeal of Eighteenth Amendment

Section 1 - Repeal of Eighteenth Amendment

Section 2 - Transportation of intoxicating liquors

Section 3 - Ratification

Amendment XXII - Presidential Tenure

Section 1 - Presidential Tenure

Section 2 - Enforcement

Amendment XXIII - Presidential Electors for the District of Columbia

Section 1 - Presidential Electors for the District of Columbia

Section 2 - Enforcement

Amendment XXIV - Abolition of the Poll Tax Qualification in Federal Elections

Amendment XXV - Presidential Vacancy, Disability, and Inability

Amendment XXVI - Reduction of Voting Age Qualification

Section 1 - Reduction of Voting Age Qualification

Section 2 - Enforcement

Amendment XXVII - Congressional Pay Limitation

NOTES

Note 1: Original source of the Constitution text.

Note 2: Article 1 Section 2 Clause 3 modified by Amendment XIV, and Amendment XVI.

Note 3: Article 1 Section 3 Clause 1 has been affected by Amendment XVII.

Note 4: Article 1 Section 3 Clause 2 modified by Amendment XVII.

Note 5: Article 1 Section 4 Clause 2 modified by Amendment XX.

Note 6: Article 1 Section 6 Clause 1 modified by Amendment XXVII.

Note 7: Article 1 Section 9 Clause 4 modified by Amendment XVI.

Note 8: Article 2 Section 1 Clause 3 superseded by amendment XII.

Note 9: Article 2 Section 1 Clause 6 modified by amendment XX and amendment XXV.

Note 10: Article 3 Section 2 Clause 1 modified by amendment XI.

Note 11: Article 4 Section 2 Clause 3 modified by amendment XIII.

Note 12: The Bill of Rights

Note 13: Only the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th numbered at ratification.

Note 14: Part of Amendment XII superseded by Amendment XX.

Note 15: Article XIV is modified by Amendment XIX and Amendment XXVI.

Note 16: Amendment XVIII repealed by Amendment XXI.

Dates - Milestone dates for the constitution, bill of rights and the start of the U.S. government.

Spellings

Vocabulary

Sources

How to use this version

Accessibility

Index

Subject Index

Sample code to link from your own web site or email

Ratifications

Jun 21, 1788 Constitution

Dec 15, 1791 (Articles I through X are known as the Bill of Rights)

Article [I] - Freedom of expression and religion

Article [II] - Bearing Arms

Article [III] - Quartering Soldiers

Article [IV] - Search and Seizure

Article [V] - Rights of Persons

Article [VI] - Rights of Accused in Criminal Prosecutions

Article [VII] - Civil Trials

Article [VIII] - Further Guarantees in Criminal Cases

Article [IX] - Unenumerated Rights

Article [X] - Reserved Powers

Feb 7, 1795 [Article XI] - Suits Against States

Jun 15, 1804 [Article XII] - Election of President

Dec 6, 1865 Article XIII - Slavery and Involuntary Servitude

Jul 9, 1868 Article XIV - Rights Guaranteed: Privileges and Immunities of Citizenship, Due Process, and Equal Protection

Feb 3, 1870 Article XV - Rights of Citizens to Vote

Feb 3, 1913 Article XVI - Income Tax

Apr 8, 1913 [Article XVII] - Popular Election of Senators

Jan 16, 1919 Article [XVIII] - Prohibition of Intoxicating Liquors

Aug 18, 1920 Article [XIX] - Women's Suffrage Rights

Jan 23, 1933 Article [XX] - Terms of President, Vice President, Members of Congress: Presidential Vacancy

Mar 21, 1947 Article [XXI] - Repeal of Eighteenth Amendment

Feb 27, 1951 Amendment XXII - Presidential Tenure

Mar 29, 1961 Amendment XXIII - Presidential Electors for the District of Columbia

Jan 24, 1964 Amendment XXIV - Abolition of the Poll Tax Qualification in Federal Elections

Feb 10, 1967 Amendment XXV - Presidential Vacancy, Disability, and Inability

Jul 1, 1971 Amendment XXVI - Reduction of Voting Age Qualification

May 7, 1992 Amendment XXVII - Congressional Pay Limitation

Copyright and Contact

Outside navigation

HTML and CSS validation

Labeling

Subject Index

skip to Sample code  up to Index
Select first letter of subject:  A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Admiralty and; maritime cases - Article III Section 2

Advice and consent - Article II Section 2 Clause 2

Age, as qualification for public office

President - Article II Section 1 Clause 5

Representatives - Article I Section 2 Clause 2

Senators - Article I Section 3 Clause 3

Age, voting - Amendment XXVI

Ambassadors

Case controversies - Article III Section 2 Clause 1

President's power - Article II Section 2 Clause 2; Article II Section 3

Amendment procedure - Article V

Appellate jurisdiction - Article III Section 2 Clause 2

Appointment power - Article II Section 2 Clause 2

Appointments, temporary - Amendment XVII Section 2

Apportionment of representatives - Article I Section 2 Clause 3; Amendment XIV Section 2

Appropriations(s) - Article I Section 8

Arms, right to bear - Amendment II

Army - Article II Section 2 Clause 1

Assembly, right of - Amendment l

Authors - Article I Section 8 Clause 8

to top of Subject Index

B

Bail, excessive - Amendment 8

Bankruptcy, Congress, power - Article I Section 8 Clause 4

Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10) - Amendments I-X

Bills - Article I Section 7

Bills of attainder - Article I Section 9 Clause 3; Article I Section 10 Clause 1

Borrowing, Congress, power - Article I Section 8 Clause 2

to top of Subject Index

C

Cabinet officers, reports - Article II Section 2 Clause 1

Census - Article I Section 2 Clause 3

Chief Justice, role in impeachment trials - Article I Section 3 Clause 6

Commander in Chief - Article II Section 2 Clause 1

Commerce, Congress, power - Article I Section 8 Clause 3

Commission of officers - Article II Section 3 Clause 5

Compact - Article I Section 10 Clause 3

Congress

annual meetings - Article I Section 4 Clause 2;

declaring war - Article I Section 8 Clauses 11-14

legislative proceedings - Article I Section 5 Clause 2

members, compensation and privileges - Article I Section 6 Clause 1;

organization - Article I Section 1

powers - Article I Section 8; Amendment XII

special sessions - Article II Section 3

Congressional Record (Journal) - Article I Section 5 Clause 3

Constitution, purpose - Preamble

Contracts, interference by states - Article I Section 10 Clause 3

Controversies, court cases - Article III Section 2 Clause 1

Conventions - Article V;VII; Amendment 21 Section 3

Copyrights & patents, Congress' power - Article I Section 8 Clause 8

Counsel, right to - Amendment 6

Counterfeiting, Congress' power to punish - Article I Section 8 Clause 6

Courts - (see Judiciary)

Criminal proceedings, rights of accused - Amendment 5; Amendment 6

Currency, Congress' power - Article I Section 8 Clause 5

to top of Subject Index

D

Defense, Congress' power - Article I Section 8

District of Columbia - Article I Section 8 Clause 17; Amendment XXIII Section 1

Double jeopardy - Amendment V

Due process of law - Amendment V; Amendment XIV Section 1

to top of Subject Index

E

Electoral College - Article II Section 1 Clause 4; Amendment XII; Amendment XXIII Section 1

Equal protection of laws - Amendment 14 Section 1

Equity - Article III Section 2 Clause 1; Amendment 11

Ex post facto laws - Article I Section 9 Clause 3; Article I Section 10 Clause 1

Extradition of fugitives by states - Article IV Section 2 Clause 2

to top of Subject Index

F

Fines, excessive - Amendment VIII

Foreign affairs, President's power - Article II Section 2 Clause 2

Foreign commerce, Congress' power - Article I Section 8 Clause 1

Full faith and credit" clause - Article IV Section 1

to top of Subject Index

G

General welfare, Congress' power - Article I Section 8 Clause 1

Grand jury indictments - Amendment V

Grievances, redress of - Amendment I

to top of Subject Index

H

Habeas corpus - Article I Section 9 Clause 2

House of Representatives

election to & eligibility for - Article I Section 2 Clause 2

members' terms of office - Article I Section 2 Clause 1; Article I Section 6 Clause 2

Speaker of - Article I Section 2 Clause 5; Amendment 24; Amendment 25

special powers

impeachment - Article I Section 2 Clause 5

Presidential elections - Article II Section 1 Clause 3; Amendment 12

revenue bills - Article I Section 7 Clause 1

states' representation in - Article I Section 2 Clause 1; Article I Section 2 Clause 3

vacancies - Article I Section 2 Clause 4

to top of Subject Index

I

Immunities (see Privileges and immunities)

Impeachment

officials subject to - Article II Section 4

penalties - Article I Section 3 Clause 7

power of, lodged in House - Article I Section 2 Clause 5

reasons - Article II Section 4

trials, Senate - Article I Section 3 Clause 6

Indians, commerce with, Congress' power - Article I Section 8 Clause 3

Inhabitant (see Resident) - Article I Section 2 Clause 2; Article I Section 3 Clause 3

International law, Congress' power - Article I Section 8 Clause 3

Inventors - Article I Section 8 Clause 8

to top of Subject Index

J

Judiciary

inferior courts - Article I Section 8 Clause 9; Article III Section 1

judicial review - Article III Section 2 Clause 2

jurisdiction - Article III Section 2 Section 2

nomination & confirmation of judges - Article II Section 2 Clause 2

Supreme Court - Article III Section 1

terms of office & compensation - Article III Section 1

Jury trials - Article III Section 2 Clause 3; Amendment VI; Amendment VII

to top of Subject Index

L

“Lame duck” amendment - Amendment XX

Liquor - Amendment XVIII; Amendment XXI

to top of Subject Index

M

Marque and reprisal, letters of - Article I Section 8 Clause 11

Men (see Persons)

Militia (Military) - Amendment II; Amendment V

congressional powers - Article I Section 8 Clause 15

presidential powers - Article II Section 2 Clause 1

Money - Article I Section 8 Clause 5-6

to top of Subject Index

N

National debt - Article VI Clause 1

Native Americans (see Indians)

Naturalization - Article I Section 8 Clause 4

Navy - Article I Section 8 Clause 13-14; Article II Section 2 Clause 1

“Necessary and proper” clause - Article I Section 8 Clause 18

Nominate - Article II Section 2 Clause 2; Amendment XXV

to top of Subject Index

O

Oath of office, federal and state - Article II Section 1 Clause 8; Article VI

Original jurisdiction - Article III Section 2 Clause 2

to top of Subject Index

P

(subject index still being added)

Pardons and reprieves, President's power - Article II Section 2 Clause 1

People, powers reserved to - Amendment X

Persons - Amendment XIV

Petition the government, right to - Amendment I

“Pocket veto” - Article I Section 7 Clause 2

Poll tax, prohibition - Amendment XXIV

Post offices & roads, Congress' power - Article I Section 8 Clause 7

Presidency, succession to - Article II Section 1; Amendment 20; Amendment 25

President

disability - A25,3

election - Article II Section 1; Amendment 12; Amendment 22; Amendment 23

eligibility for office - Article II Section 1

legislation, role in - Article I Section 7

oath of office - Article II Section 1

powers & duties - Article IV Section 2

term of office & compensation - Article II Section 1

Press, freedom of - A1

Privileges and immunities (of citizens) - Article IV Section 2; Amendment 14 Section 1

Prohibition - Amendment 18; Amendment 21

Property, taking for public use - Amendment 5

Punishments, cruel and unusual - Amendment 8

to top of Subject Index

R

Ratification of Constitution - Article V

Religion, freedom of - Amendment I

Religious oaths - Article VI

Resident (see Inhabitant) - Article II Section 1 Clause 5

to top of Subject Index

S

Search and seizure - Amendment 4

Seas, Congress' power - Article I Section 8

Secrecy - Article I Section 5

Self-incrimination - Amendment 5

Senate

election to & eligibility for - Article I Section 3

equal representation of states - V

officers - Article I Section 3

President of - Article I Section 3;Amendment 12

President of, pro tempore - Article I Section 3;Amendment 25

special powers

impeachment trials - Article I Section 3

Presidential appointments - Article II Section 2

treaties - Article II Section 2

terms of office - Article I Section 3; Article I Section 6

vacancies - Amendment 17

Slavery, prohibition - Amendment 13; A14,4

Soldiers, quartering of - Amendment 3

Speech, freedom of - A1

Spending, Congress' power - Article I Section 8

State of Union message - Article II Section 3

States

and federal elections - Article I Section 4

formation & admission to Union - Article IV Section 3

powers requiring consent of Congress - Article I Section 10

powers reserved to - Amendment 10

protection against invasion, violence - Article IV Section 4

republican form of government guaranteed - Article IV Section 4

suits against - Article III Section 2; Amendment 11

Sundays - Article I Section 7

Supreme law of the land (Constitution) - VI

to top of Subject Index

T

Taxing power

in general - Article I Section 7 Clause 1; Article I Section 8 Clause 1

direct taxes prohibited - Article I Section 9 Clause 4

income taxes permitted - Amendment XVI

Territories - Article IV Section 3 Clause 2

Titles of nobility - Article I Section 9 Clause 8

Treason - Article III Section 3

Treaty(ies) - Article I Section 10 Clause 1; Article II Section 2 Clause 2; Article III Section 2 Clause 1; Article VI Clause 2

Trial - Article I Section 3 Clause 6-7; Article III Section 2 Clause 3; Amendment VI; Amendment VII

to top of Subject Index

V

Veto, President's power - Article I Section 7 Clause 2

Vice-President

conditions for assuming Presidency - Article II Section 1 Clause 6; Amendment XX Section 3; Amendment XXV

declaring President disabled, role in - Amendment XX Section 4; Amendment XXV

succession to - Amendment XX Section 4; Amendment XXV

Senate, role in - Article I Section 3 Clause 4; Amendment XII

term of office - Article II Section 1 Clause 1

Voting rights - Amendment XIV; Amendment XXIV

blacks, former slaves - Amendment XV

eighteen-years-old - Amendment XXVI Section 1

women - Amendment XIX Section 1

to top of Subject Index

W

War powers (see Congress, declaring war, powers; President, powers & duties; States, protection against invasion)

Warrants - Amendment IV

Weights and measures, standards of - Article I Section 8 Clause 5

Women - (see Persons)

to top of Subject Index

Sample code to link from your own web site or email

skip to Ratifications   up to Subject Index
Find in the index your reference and copy the link location. Construct your own link such as:

<a
href="http://constitutionus.com/#a1s2"
title="Article 1 Section 2 - The House"
>Article 1 Section 2 - The House</a>

change to your own text the part
>Article 1 Section 2 - The House</a>
to
>your text</a>
if you wish some other description of the link
The title attribute is optional, it is what causes a brief display of what's in the quotes when the cursor is over the link. Remember white space is important in HTML. In this example a line feed is used but it could be a space(s) or tab(s). There must be no white space after the attributes href or title or after the equal sign. What follows the equal sign should be in quotes (double or single, just so they match).  If you are using a composer just fill in the appropriate bits, such as the part between the quotes (after href=) into the href portion of adding a link. Add the attribute
target="_blank"
to make it open in a new window.

Text only email will vary you may just use
http://constitutionus.com/#a1s2
to send the link, and the text will read the same as the link. Other may require you to add < and > around the link. Send some to yourself to see what your mail client does.

Ratifications

skip to Copyright   up to Sample code

The Constitution

The Constitution was adopted by a convention of the States on September 17, 1787, and was subsequently ratified by the several States, on the following dates:  Delaware, December 7, 1787; Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787; New Jersey, December 18, 1787; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9, 1788; Massachusetts, February 6, 1788; Maryland, April 28, 1788; South Carolina, May 23, 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788.

Ratification was completed on June 21, 1788.

The Constitution was subsequently ratified by Virginia, June 25, 1788; New York, July 26, 1788; North Carolina, November 21, 1789; Rhode Island, May 29, 1790; and Vermont, January 10, 1791.

In May 1785, a committee of Congress made a report recommending an alteration in the Articles of Confederation, but no action was taken on it, and it was left to the State Legislatures to proceed in the matter. In January 1786, the Legislature of Virginia passed a resolution providing for the appointment of five commissioners, who, or any three of them, should meet such commissioners as might be appointed in the other States of the Union, at a time and place to be agreed upon, to take into consideration the trade of the United States; to consider how far a uniform system in their commercial regulations may be necessary to their common interest and their permanent harmony; and to report to the several States such an act, relative to this great object, as, when ratified by them, will enable the United States in Congress effectually to provide for the same. The Virginia commissioners, after some correspondence, fixed the first Monday in September as the time, and the city of Annapolis as the place for the meeting, but only four other States were represented, viz:  Delaware, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; the commissioners appointed by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Rhode Island failed to attend. Under the circumstances of so partial a representation, the commissioners present agreed upon a report, (drawn by Mr. Hamilton, of New York,) expressing their unanimous conviction that it might essentially tend to advance the interests of the Union if the States by which they were respectively delegated would concur, and use their endeavors to procure the concurrenceof the other States, in the appointment of commissioners to meet at Philadelphia on the Second Monday of May following, to take into consideration the situation of the United States; to devise such further provisions as should appear to them necessary to render the Constitution of the Federal Government adequate to the exigencies of the Union; and to report such an act for that purpose to the United States in Congress assembled as, when agreed to by them and afterwards confirmed by the Legislatures of every State, would effectually provide for the same.

Congress, on the 21st of February, 1787, adopted a resolution in favor of a convention, and the Legislatures of those States which had not already done so (with the exception of Rhode Island) promptly appointed delegates. On the 25th of May, sevenStates having convened, George Washington, of Virginia, was unanimously elected President, and the consideration of the proposed constitution was commenced. On the 17th of September, 1787, the Constitution as engrossed and agreed upon was signed by all the members present, except Mr. Gerry of Massachusetts, and Messrs. Mason and Randolph, of Virginia. The president of the convention transmitted it to Congress, with a resolution stating how the proposed Federal Government should be put in operation, and an explanatory letter. Congress, on the 28th of September, 1787, directed the Constitution so framed, with the resolutions and letter concerning the same, to “be transmitted to the several Legislatures in order to be submitted to a convention of delegates chosen in each State by the people thereof, in conformity to the resolves of the convention.”

On the 4th of March, 1789, the day which had been fixed for commencing the operations of Government under the new Constitution, it had been ratified by the conventions chosen in each State to consider it, as follows:  Delaware, December 7, 1787; Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787; New Jersey, December 18, 1787; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9, 1788; Massachusetts, February 6, 1788; Maryland, April 28, 1788; South Carolina, May 23, 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788; Virginia, June 25, 1788; and New York, July 26, 1788.

The President informed Congress, on the 28th of January, 1790, that North Carolina had ratified the Constitution November 21, 1789; and he informed Congress on the 1st of June, 1790, that Rhode Island had ratified the Constitution May 29, 1790. Vermont, in convention, ratified the Constitution January 10, 1791, and was, by an act of Congress approved February 18, 1791, “received and admitted into this Union as a new and entire member of the United States”.   Constitution

[Article I] through [Article X] (The Bill of Rights)

The first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States (and two others, one of which failed of ratification and the other which later became the 27th amendment) were proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the First Congress on September 25, 1789. The first ten amendments were ratified by the following States, and the notifications of ratification by the Governors thereof were successively communicated by the President to Congress: New Jersey, November 20, 1789; Maryland, December 19, 1789; North Carolina, December 22, 1789; South Carolina, January 19, 1790; New Hampshire, January 25, 1790; Delaware, January 28, 1790; New York, February 24, 1790; Pennsylvania, March 10, 1790; Rhode Island, June 7, 1790; Vermont, November 3, 1791; and Virginia, December 15, 1791.

Ratification was completed on December 15, 1791.

The amendments were subsequently ratified by the legislatures of Massachusetts, March 2, 1939; Georgia, March 18, 1939; and Connecticut, April 19, 1939.   Bill of Rights

[Article XI]

The eleventh amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theThird Congress, on the 4th of March 1794; and was declared in a message from the President to Congress, dated the 8th of January, 1798, to have been ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the States. The dates of ratification were:  NewYork, March 27, 1794; Rhode Island, March 31, 1794; Connecticut, May 8, 1794; New Hampshire, June 16, 1794; Massachusetts, June 26, 1794; Vermont, between October 9, 1794 and November 9, 1794; Virginia, November 18, 1794; Georgia, November 29, 1794; Kentucky, December 7, 1794; Maryland, December 26, 1794; Delaware, January 23, 1795; North Carolina, February 7, 1795.

Ratification was completed on February 7, 1795.

The amendment was subsequently ratified by South Carolina on December 4, 1797. New Jersey and Pennsylvania did not take action on the amendment.   amendment 11

[Article XII]

The twelfth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theEighth Congress, on the 9th of December, 1803, in lieu of the original third paragraph of the first section of the second article; and was declared in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 25th of September, 1804, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 13 of the 17 States. The dates of ratification were: North Carolina, December 21, 1803; Maryland, December 24, 1803; Kentucky, December 27, 1803; Ohio, December 30, 1803; Pennsylvania, January 5, 1804; Vermont, January 30, 1804; Virginia, February 3, 1804; New York, February 10, 1804; New Jersey, February 22, 1804; Rhode Island, March 12, 1804; South Carolina, May 15, 1804; Georgia, May 19, 1804; New Hampshire, June 15, 1804.

Ratification was completed on June 15, 1804.

The amendment was subsequently ratified by Tennessee, July 27, 1804.

The amendment was rejected by Delaware, January 18, 1804; Massachusetts, February 3, 1804; Connecticut, at its session begun May 10, 1804.   amendment 12

Article XIII

The thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theThirty-eighth Congress, on the 31st day of January, 1865, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 18th of December, 1865, to have been ratified by the legislatures of twenty-seven of the thirty-six States. The dates of ratification were:  Illinois, February 1, 1865; Rhode Island, February 2, 1865; Michigan, February 2, 1865; Maryland, February 3, 1865; New York, February 3, 1865; Pennsylvania, February 3, 1865; West Virginia, February 3, 1865; Missouri, February 6, 1865; Maine, February 7, 1865; Kansas, February 7, 1865; Massachusetts, February 7, 1865; Virginia, February 9, 1865; Ohio, February 10, 1865; Indiana, February 13, 1865; Nevada, February 16, 1865; Louisiana, February 17, 1865; Minnesota, February 23, 1865; Wisconsin, February 24, 1865; Vermont, March 9, 1865; Tennessee, April 7, 1865; Arkansas, April 14, 1865; Connecticut, May 4, 1865; New Hampshire, July 1, 1865; South Carolina, November 13, 1865; Alabama, December 2, 1865; North Carolina, December 4, 1865; Georgia, December 6, 1865.

Ratification was completed on December 6, 1865.

The amendment was subsequently ratified by Oregon, December 8, 1865; California, December 19, 1865; Florida, December 28, 1865 (Florida again ratified on June 9, 1868, upon its adoption of a new constitution); Iowa, January 15, 1866; New Jersey, January 23, 1866 (after having rejected the amendment on March 16, 1865); Texas, February 18, 1870; Delaware, February 12, 1901 (after having rejected the amendment on February 8, 1865); Kentucky, March 18, 1976 (after having rejected it on February 24, 1865).

The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by Mississippi, December 4, 1865.  amendment 13

Article XIV

The fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theThirty-ninth Congress, on the 13th of June, 1866. It was declared, in a certificate of the Secretary of State dated July 28, 1868 to have been ratified by the legislatures of 28 of the 37 States. The dates of ratification were: Connecticut, June 25, 1866; New Hampshire, July 6, 1866; Tennessee, July 19, 1866; New Jersey, September 11, 1866 (subsequently the legislature rescinded its ratification, and on March 24, 1868, readopted its resolution of rescission over the Governor's veto, and on Nov. 12, 1980, expressed support for the amendment); Oregon, September 19, 1866 (and rescinded its ratification on October 15, 1868); Vermont, October 30, 1866; Ohio, January 4, 1867 (and rescinded its ratification on January 15, 1868); New York, January 10, 1867; Kansas, January 11, 1867; Illinois, January 15, 1867; West Virginia, January 16, 1867; Michigan, January 16, 1867; Minnesota, January 16, 1867; Maine, January 19, 1867; Nevada, January 22, 1867; Indiana, January 23, 1867; Missouri, January 25, 1867; Rhode Island, February 7, 1867; Wisconsin, February 7, 1867; Pennsylvania, February 12, 1867; Massachusetts, March 20, 1867; Nebraska, June 15, 1867; Iowa, March 16, 1868; Arkansas, April 6, 1868; Florida, June 9, 1868; North Carolina, July 4, 1868 (after having rejected it on December 14, 1866); Louisiana, July 9, 1868 (after having rejected it on February 6, 1867); South Carolina, July 9, 1868 (after having rejected it on December 20, 1866).

Ratification was completed on July 9, 1868.

The amendment was subsequently ratified by Alabama, July 13, 1868; Georgia, July 21, 1868 (after having rejected it on November 9, 1866); Virginia, October 8, 1869 (after having rejected it on January 9, 1867); Mississippi, January 17, 1870; Texas, February 18, 1870 (after having rejected it on October 27, 1866); Delaware, February 12, 1901 (after having rejected it on February 8, 1867); Maryland, April 4, 1959 (after having rejected it on March 23, 1867); California, May 6, 1959; Kentucky, March 18, 1976 (after having rejected it on January 8, 1867).   amendment 14

Article XV

The fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theFortieth Congress, on the 26th of February, 1869, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated March 30, 1870, to have been ratified by the legislatures of twenty-nine of the thirty-seven States. The dates of ratification were: Nevada, March 1, 1869; West Virginia, March 3, 1869; Illinois, March 5, 1869; Louisiana, March 5, 1869; North Carolina, March 5, 1869; Michigan, March 8, 1869; Wisconsin, March 9, 1869; Maine, March 11, 1869; Massachusetts, March 12, 1869; Arkansas, March 15, 1869; South Carolina, March 15, 1869; Pennsylvania, March 25, 1869; New York, April 14, 1869 (and the legislature of the same State passed a resolution January 5, 1870, to withdraw its consent to it, which action it rescinded on March 30, 1970); Indiana, May 14, 1869; Connecticut, May 19, 1869; Florida, June 14, 1869; New Hampshire, July 1, 1869; Virginia, October 8, 1869; Vermont, October 20, 1869; Missouri, January 7, 1870; Minnesota, January 13, 1870; Mississippi, January 17, 1870; Rhode Island, January 18, 1870; Kansas, January 19, 1870; Ohio, January 27, 1870 (after having rejected it on April 30, 1869); Georgia, February 2, 1870; Iowa, February 3, 1870.

Ratification was completed on February 3, 1870, unless the withdrawal of ratification by New York was effective; in which event ratification was completed on February 17, 1870, when Nebraska ratified.

The amendment was subsequently ratified by Texas, February 18, 1870; New Jersey, February 15, 1871 (after having rejected it on February 7, 1870); Delaware, February 12, 1901 (after having rejected it on March 18, 1869); Oregon, February 24, 1959; California, April 3, 1962 (after having rejected it on January 28, 1870); Kentucky, March 18, 1976 (after having rejected it on March 12, 1869).

The amendment was approved by the Governor of Maryland, May 7, 1973; Maryland having previously rejected it on February 26, 1870.

The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by Tennessee, November 16, 1869.   amendment 15

Article XVI

The sixteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theSixty-first Congress on the 12th of July, 1909, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 25th of February, 1913, to have been ratified by 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Alabama, August 10, 1909; Kentucky, February 8, 1910; South Carolina, February 19, 1910; Illinois, March 1, 1910; Mississippi, March 7, 1910; Oklahoma, March 10, 1910; Maryland, April 8, 1910; Georgia, August 3, 1910; Texas, August 16, 1910; Ohio, January 19, 1911; Idaho, January 20, 1911; Oregon, January 23, 1911; Washington, January 26, 1911; Montana, January 30, 1911; Indiana, January 30, 1911; California, January 31, 1911; Nevada, January 31, 1911; South Dakota, February 3, 1911; Nebraska, February 9, 1911; North Carolina, February 11, 1911; Colorado, February 15, 1911; North Dakota, February 17, 1911; Kansas, February 18, 1911; Michigan, February 23, 1911; Iowa, February 24, 1911; Missouri, March 16, 1911; Maine, March 31, 1911; Tennessee, April 7, 1911; Arkansas, April 22, 1911 (after having rejected it earlier); Wisconsin, May 26, 1911; New York, July 12, 1911; Arizona, April 6, 1912; Minnesota, June 11, 1912; Louisiana, June 28, 1912; West Virginia, January 31, 1913; New Mexico, February 3, 1913.

Ratification was completed on February 3, 1913.

The amendment was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, March 4, 1913; New Hampshire, March 7, 1913 (after having rejected it on March 2, 1911).

The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Utah.   amendment 16

[Article XVII]

The seventeenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-second Congress on the 13th of May, 1912, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 31st of May, 1913, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Massachusetts, May 22, 1912; Arizona, June 3, 1912; Minnesota, June 10, 1912; New York, January 15, 1913; Kansas, January 17, 1913; Oregon, January 23, 1913; North Carolina, January 25, 1913; California, January 28, 1913; Michigan, January 28, 1913; Iowa, January 30, 1913; Montana, January 30, 1913; Idaho, January 31, 1913; West Virginia, February 4, 1913; Colorado, February 5, 1913; Nevada, February 6, 1913; Texas, February 7, 1913; Washington, February 7, 1913; Wyoming, February 8, 1913; Arkansas, February 11, 1913; Maine, February 11, 1913; Illinois, February 13, 1913; North Dakota, February 14, 1913; Wisconsin, February 18, 1913; Indiana, February 19, 1913; New Hampshire, February 19, 1913; Vermont, February 19, 1913; South Dakota, February 19, 1913; Oklahoma, February 24, 1913; Ohio, February 25, 1913; Missouri, March 7, 1913; New Mexico, March 13, 1913; Nebraska, March 14, 1913; New Jersey, March 17, 1913; Tennessee, April 1, 1913; Pennsylvania, April 2, 1913; Connecticut, April 8, 1913.

Ratification was completed on April 8, 1913.

The amendment was subsequently ratified by Louisiana, June 11, 1914.

The amendment was rejected by Utah (and not subsequently ratified) on February 26, 1913.  amendment 17

Article [XVIII]16

The eighteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theSixty-fifth Congress, on the 18th of December, 1917, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 29th of January, 1919, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Mississippi, January 8, 1918; Virginia, January 11, 1918; Kentucky, January 14, 1918; North Dakota, January 25, 1918; South Carolina, January 29, 1918; Maryland, February 13, 1918; Montana, February 19, 1918; Texas, March 4, 1918; Delaware, March 18, 1918; South Dakota, March 20, 1918; Massachusetts, April 2, 1918; Arizona, May 24, 1918; Georgia, June 26, 1918; Louisiana, August 3, 1918; Florida, December 3, 1918; Michigan, January 2, 1919; Ohio, January 7, 1919; Oklahoma, January 7, 1919; Idaho, January 8, 1919; Maine, January 8, 1919; West Virginia, January 9, 1919; California, January 13, 1919; Tennessee, January 13, 1919; Washington, January 13, 1919; Arkansas, January 14, 1919; Kansas, January 14, 1919; Alabama, January 15, 1919; Colorado, January 15, 1919; Iowa, January 15, 1919; New Hampshire, January 15, 1919; Oregon, January 15, 1919; Nebraska, January 16, 1919; North Carolina, January 16, 1919; Utah, January 16, 1919; Missouri, January 16, 1919; Wyoming, January 16, 1919.

Ratification was completed on January 16, 1919. See Dillon v. Gloss, 256 U.S. 368, 376 (1921).

The amendment was subsequently ratified by Minnesota on January 17, 1919; Wisconsin, January 17, 1919; New Mexico, January 20, 1919; Nevada, January 21, 1919; New York, January 29, 1919; Vermont, January 29, 1919; Pennsylvania, February 25, 1919; Connecticut, May 6, 1919; and New Jersey, March 9, 1922.

The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by Rhode Island.   amendment 18

Women's Suffrage Rights Article [XIX]

The nineteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by theSixty-sixth Congress, on the 4th of June, 1919, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 26th of August, 1920, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Illinois, June 10, 1919 (and that State readopted its resolution of ratification June 17, 1919); Michigan, June 10, 1919; Wisconsin, June 10, 1919; Kansas, June 16, 1919; New York, June 16, 1919; Ohio, June 16, 1919; Pennsylvania, June 24, 1919; Massachusetts, June 25, 1919; Texas, June 28, 1919; Iowa, July 2, 1919; Missouri, July 3, 1919; Arkansas, July 28, 1919; Montana, August 2, 1919; Nebraska, August 2, 1919; Minnesota, September 8, 1919; New Hampshire, September 10, 1919; Utah, October 2, 1919; California, November 1, 1919; Maine, November 5, 1919; North Dakota, December 1, 1919; South Dakota, December 4, 1919; Colorado, December 15, 1919; Kentucky, January 6, 1920; Rhode Island, January 6, 1920; Oregon, January 13, 1920; Indiana, January 16, 1920; Wyoming, January 27, 1920; Nevada, February 7, 1920; New Jersey, February 9, 1920; Idaho, February 11, 1920; Arizona, February 12, 1920; New Mexico, February 21, 1920; Oklahoma, February 28, 1920; West Virginia, March 10, 1920; Washington, March 22, 1920; Tennessee, August 18, 1920.

Ratification was completed on August 18, 1920.

The amendment was subsequently ratified by Connecticut on September 14, 1920 (and that State reaffirmed on September 21, 1920); Vermont, February 8, 1921; Delaware, March 6, 1923 (after having rejected it on June 2, 1920); Maryland, March 29, 1941 (after having rejected it on February 24, 1920, ratification certified on February 25, 1958); Virginia, February 21, 1952 (after having rejected it on February 12, 1920); Alabama, September 8, 1953 (after having rejected it on September 22, 1919); Florida, May 13, 1969; South Carolina, July 1, 1969 (after having rejected it on January 28, 1920, ratification certified on August 22, 1973); Georgia, February 20, 1970 (after having rejected it on July 24, 1919); Louisiana, June 11, 1970 (after having rejected it on July 1, 1920); North Carolina, May 6, 1971; Mississippi, March 22, 1984 (after having rejected it on March 29, 1920).   amendment 19

Article [XX]

The twentieth amendment to the Constitution was proposed to the legislatures of the several states by the Seventy-SecondCongress, on the 2d day of March, 1932, and was declared, in a proclamation by the Secretary of State, dated on the 6th day of February, 1933, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Virginia, March 4, 1932; New York, March 11, 1932; Mississippi, March 16, 1932; Arkansas, March 17, 1932; Kentucky, March 17, 1932; New Jersey, March 21, 1932; South Carolina, March 25, 1932; Michigan, March 31, 1932; Maine, April 1, 1932; Rhode Island, April 14, 1932; Illinois, April 21, 1932; Louisiana, June 22, 1932; West Virginia, July 30, 1932; Pennsylvania, August 11, 1932; Indiana, August 15, 1932; Texas, September 7, 1932; Alabama, September 13, 1932; California, January 4, 1933; North Carolina, January 5, 1933; North Dakota, January 9, 1933; Minnesota, January 12, 1933; Arizona, January 13, 1933; Montana, January 13, 1933; Nebraska, January 13, 1933; Oklahoma, January 13, 1933; Kansas, January 16, 1933; Oregon, January 16, 1933; Delaware, January 19, 1933; Washington, January 19, 1933; Wyoming, January 19, 1933; Iowa, January 20, 1933; South Dakota, January 20, 1933; Tennessee, January 20, 1933; Idaho, January 21, 1933; New Mexico, January 21, 1933; Georgia, January 23, 1933; Missouri, January 23, 1933; Ohio, January 23, 1933; Utah, January 23, 1933.

Ratification was completed on January 23, 1933.

The amendment was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts on January 24, 1933; Wisconsin, January 24, 1933; Colorado, January 24, 1933; Nevada, January 26, 1933; Connecticut, January 27, 1933; New Hampshire, January 31, 1933; Vermont, February 2, 1933; Maryland, March 24, 1933; Florida, April 26, 1933.   amendment 20

Article [XXI]

The twenty-first amendment to the Constitution was proposed to the several states by the Seventy-Second Congress, on the 20th day of February, 1933, and was declared, in a proclamation by the Secretary of State, dated on the 5th day of December, 1933, to have been ratified by 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Michigan, April 10, 1933; Wisconsin, April 25, 1933; Rhode Island, May 8, 1933; Wyoming, May 25, 1933; New Jersey, June 1, 1933; Delaware, June 24, 1933; Indiana, June 26, 1933; Massachusetts, June 26, 1933; New York, June 27, 1933; Illinois, July 10, 1933; Iowa, July   amendment 21

Amendment XXII

Passed by Congress March 21, 1947. Ratified February 27, 1951.   amendment 22

Amendment XXIII

Passed by Congress June 16, 1960. Ratified March 29, 1961.   amendment 23

Amendment XXIV

Passed by Congress August 27, 1962. Ratified January 23, 1964.   amendment 24

Amendment XXV

Passed by Congress July 6, 1965. Ratified February 10, 1967.   amendment 25

Amendment XXVI

Passed by Congress March 23, 1971. Ratified July 1, 1971.   amendment 26

Amendment XXVII

Originally proposed Sept. 25, 1789. Ratified May 7, 1992.

The date of September 25, 1789, is correct. The amendment was initially ratified by 6 states (MD, NC, SC, DE, VT, VA), and the other 8 states excluded, omitted, rejected, or excepted it. The amendment was ratified by various states over time, and in 1992 was fully ratified as an amendment to the Constitution.

For more information see: United States. The Constitution of the United States of America : with a summary of the actions by the states in ratification thereof ; to which is appended, for its historical interest, the Constitution of the Confederate States of America / prepared and distributed by the Virginia on Constitutional Government. Richmond : Virginia Commission on Constitutional Government, 1961. 94 p.  amendment 27

Copyright and Contact

skip to Outside navigation  up to Ratifications
this HTML version © MMIII - MMXIV by George W. Baltzell - this hypertext page may be linked to, but not copied.

webmaster@constitutionus.com

Outside navigation

The Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776
This site listed on:
The open directory project under: Regional: North_America: United_States: Government: Law: Constitution

# data[].attributes.headline
you know that awkward moment when accidentally copy and paste the whole declaration of Independence in a padlet 

# data[].attributes.subject
you know that awkward moment when accidentally copy and paste the whole declaration of Independence in a padlet 

# data[].attributes.body
when in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

# data[].attributes.headline
have you ever seen an emperor tamrin monkey? 

# data[].attributes.subject
have you ever seen an emperor tamrin monkey? 

# data[].attributes.body
search them up. you will thank me later