About the United States Constitution
The members of the Constitutional Convention signed the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Constitutional Convention convened in response to dissatisfaction with the Articles of Confederation and the need for a strong centralized government. After four months of secret debate and many compromises, the proposed Constitution was submitted to the states for approval. Although the vote was close in some states, the Constitution was eventually ratified and the new Federal government came into existence in 1789. The Constitution established the U.S. government as it exists today.
The U.S. Constitution
Read, download, or print the Constitution from the National Constitution Center.
Constitution Annotated
- Constitution Annotated - Library of CongressAnalysis and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution in "plain English." Features include an overview of how the Constitution has been interpreted over time and discussions of the Supreme Court's latest opinions.
Books
Allow Me to Retort by Call Number: Online Resource (Libby / OverDrive)ISBN: 9781620977637Publication Date: 2023
Ordinary Equality by Call Number: Online Resource (Libby / OverDrive)ISBN: 9781423658726Publication Date: 2022
Fault Lines in the Constitution by Call Number: KF4550.Z9 L475 2019 (DP)ISBN: 1682631060Publication Date: 2019
The U. S. Constitution: a Very Short Introduction by Call Number: INTRO. KF4541 .B635 2018 (DP)ISBN: 0195378326Publication Date: 2018
Genius of the People: the Making of the Constitution by Call Number: Online Resource (Libby / OverDrive)ISBN: 9781540504319Publication Date: 2013Genius of the People is a timely account of the birth of America's national government during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Charles L. Mee Jr. vividly describes the personalities, issues, conflicts, compromises, and implications of an epoch-making meeting of brilliant and not-so-brilliant political leaders, whose vision and shortsightedness still direct our lives today.
Reading of the Constitution
Sen. Robert C. Byrd reads the Preamble at People For the American Way Foundation's 2009 Inaugural Reading of the Constitution at the Newseum in Washington, DC. The event was held on January 18, 2009.