Its first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, whereby the federal government is divided into three branches. The united states declaration of independence, adopted at the second continental congress meeting at philadelphia in july 1776. The us constitution and the bill of rights, the collective term of the first ten constitutional amendments. The committee chooses jefferson to write the first draft. Materials, constitution bookstore, pocket constitution books, constitution amendments.
The articles of confederation formed americas first federal constitution. Page one of the original copy of the united states constitution the united states constitution has served as the supreme law of the united states since taking effect in 1789. It was drafted by the second continental congress from mid1776 through. If we travel back in time to june 7, 1776, we would witness richard henry lee of virginia introducing a.
Top treasures american treasures of the library of congress. It was framed in 1776 and 1777 but not ratified until 1781. On june 4, 1776, a resolution was introduced in the second continental congress declaring. The bill of rights is the first 10 amendments to the constitution. Documents from the continental congress and the constitutional. What the constitution really says about race and slavery. This spectacular book written by alice kamps, curator at the national. The constitution of the united states 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. The declaration of independence was a statement adopted by the continental congress on july 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen american colonies, then at. The declaration of independence as read by max mclean. Its a common mistake to confuse the declaration of independence with the constitution when thinking about the birth of our nation.
The constitution of the united states is the supreme law of the united states of america. Located on the upper level of the national archives museum, the rotunda for the charters of freedom is the permanent home of the original declaration of independence, constitution of the united states, and bill of rights designed by architect john russell pope as a shrine to american democracy, the ornate rotunda with its soaring domed ceiling also. The constitution of the united states national archives. The library of congress upgraded this collection in 2005 by providing access to full color scans of the original, for at. This hardcover book contains the three most pivotal documents in american history, in easytoread large print. 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. Both are critical documents in the founding of the united states. Original rough draught of the declaration of independence. The top treasures include the declaration of independence, the constitution, lincolns. The broadside collection in the rare book division of the library of. The declaration of independence was written in 1776. Printable constitution of pennsylvania 1776 transcription.
A publisher had access to it in 1846 for a book on the constitution. The constitution, originally comprising seven articles, delineates the national frame of government. The national constitution center owns a rare, original copy of the first public printing of the constitution. The declaration of independence, us constitution, bill of rights, articles of confederation. The document was written at the 1787 philadelphia convention and was ratified through a series of state conventions held in 1787 and 1788. Rare book and special collections division, library of congress. The second continental congress issued the declaration of independence on july 4, 1776. Declaration of independence, us constitution, constitution day. The best books on the us constitution five books expert. True copy of the declaration of independence constitution facts. Action of second continental congress, july 4, 1776. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. Constitution of the united states are the two most. Printable constitution of pennsylvania 1776 transcription i.
Collection documents from the continental congress and the constitutional convention, 1774 to 1789. Its first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers. Fighting in the american revolutionary war started between colonial militias and the british army in 1775. Americas beloved and distinguished historian presents, in a book of.
The following is a list of the classic books and other works on constitutional government, which we either include in our collection, or plan to add. That all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent and inalienable rights, amongst which are, the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety. Between 1776 and 1789 thirteen british colonies emerged as a new independent nation the united states of america. Declaration of independence and constitution of the united.
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