Saturday, February 25, 2017

Israel, Football, and Korea -- Deconstruction in Action


THE ABSURD TIMES



Illustration: For some nefarious reason, pro-Israel Zionists have been re-interpreting scripture and history. The above are a few facts.  A possible explanation could be that Zionism school teaches 'Little Latin and Less Greek'.

THREE
BY
Alan Shore, esq.

Aside from a brief summary, there is no point in further chronicling the buffoonery of the past week other than to point out that the primary news story was the banning of news media from the news conference which had, one can only assume, the primary purpose of sparing Donald Trump of the humiliation of his own statements being rephrased and thus made even more ridiculous than they would appear on Saturday Night Live, which seems to be in some sort of recess, no doubt due to fatigue.  A secondary purpose was, doubtless, that since the "press" was the "Enemy of the People," they should be out there with the people where they will be more vulnerable.  No doubt it is the pointing out of the fact that his 208, really 206 (actually 2 less than he thought) was not actually the largest electoral victory in the United States since Ronald Reagan as every single President since Reagan obtained more electoral votes with the exception of George Jr.

One other point has seemed confusing to postmodernist critics who overheard the remarks of the intellectual force of this particular administration that he wished to "deconstruct" the "Administrative State".  For all who are still waiting for Godot, his use of the term is not to be taken as academic so much as militaristic.  (I simply felt obligated to clear up that misapprehension as one correspondent had called for warning Daniel Derrida."  The intellectual level of this administration can not be underestimated, and their simple confusion with the words "to", "too", and "two" which is evident in a poster attached below if room permits.

In Malaysia, the half-brother of the Supreme Leader of North Korea was assassinated through administration of VX to his face at an airport by a young woman who attempted to blend into the crowd through the clever disguise of wearing a bright white t-shirt with LOL printed on it, a ruse that clearly failed.  North Korea has become more of a problem for the U.S. ever since the ignoble retreat of Denis Rodman who hurriedly checked himself into a rehab clinic, leaving the entire free world as it is so often called at a complete loss as to how to deal with the country.

However, it is the refusal of more and more celebrities to visit Israel once they become aware of what Israel really is and how it treats the basic Palestinian population that is the primary story of today.  We all know of the refusal of Stephan Hawking to visit once he had paid enough attention to such basic information, neglecting his string theory and others matters for a few moments.  However, for more attention focuses on professional football these days than on such abstruse matters and some football players have now decided not to visit.

It become presumable incumbent upon us to point out that the term "football" is used in the United States to denote a sport that features relatively little contact between a player's foot and the ball.  What is known as "football" around the rest of the world in known stateside as "soccer".   In fact, when I was much younger and would 'pitch' for a baseball team, one team in particular had more foot contact with the ball, albeit inadvertently, than does American Football.  Still, it has an enormous following and the words spoken by these athletes carry more weight with a vast swath of Americans than any uttered by any politician.  That is why the words of one of its stars are so important as he explains why he has refused to visit Israel:


AMY GOODMAN: We turn to our Democracy Now! exclusive. Earlier this month, professional football star Michael Bennett made headlines when he pulled out of an Israeli government-sponsored trip to Israel for NFL players. In an open letter, Bennett, who plays for the Seattle Seahawks, wrote, "One of my heroes has always been Muhammad Ali. I know that Ali always stood strongly with the Palestinian people, visiting refugee camps, going to rallies, and always willing to be a 'voice for the voiceless.' I want to be a 'voice for the voiceless' and I cannot do that by going on this kind of trip to Israel." Bennett's words struck a chord with his teammates. In the end, only five out of the original 13 players ended up traveling as ambassadors of goodwill for Israel.
Well, yesterday, I spoke with Michael Bennett and Dave Zirin, a sports editor for The Nation magazine. I began by asking Michael Bennett about his decision not to go to Israel.
MICHAEL BENNETT: I decided not to go because, you know, doing some—my research on Palestine and Israel and all the things that were going on, I've seen so many similarities between the Black Lives movement and the Palestinian movement. And, you know, I figured if I was going to go to Israel, I should be able to go see both sides. And, you know, I didn't want to be an ambassador for a certain government if I wasn't sure if I agree with everything the government was doing. So I thought it would be better to go on my own time, you know, and figure out my own situation when I get there.
AMY GOODMAN: How did this trip end up getting planned?
MICHAEL BENNETT: You know, they contacted us during the last year in the summertime, and, you know, they were talking about this trip. And I thought it was just more of like a trip that you get to go see Israel. I didn't know it was like an ambassador trip and all the extra stuff. So, you know, once I found out about that, some of my friends called me and was like, "Oh, did you know this? And did you know that?" And when they called me, I just decided to—you know, I was like, "Oh, well, I can't. I can't do this. I don't want to be an ambassador for something that I don't agree with."
AMY GOODMAN: Michael, what kind of response did you get to posting that letter?
MICHAEL BENNETT: I think I got—I mean, it was very—I feel like there were some people that thought I was anti-Semitic, and so they were like getting mad. And I was like, "No, I'm not against any Jewish people or any—I'm not against anybody, when it comes to people." But, you know, they seemed—they thought I was anti-Semitic. But I wasn't. You know, I was just saying that when I do go to Israel, I would love to see Palestine, too.
And, you know, I got a lot of great things. I think a lot of people tweeted, emailed all kinds of things and said they were proud, you know, that an athlete stood for something that was going on in the world. And I think when the things that are going on in America at the same time, the things that are going around the whole world and Palestine, all across, and, you know, I just wanted to be—if I do be an ambassador, it'll be for the goodwill of the world, the things that are going on around the world. And they're so similar to the things that are going on in America, whether we're talking about Ferguson or we're talking about Baltimore or Eric Garner. Just, you know, there's a lot of things that are going on here that are similar to things that are going on in Palestine. And once I did so much research and started reading and seeing the similarities, I knew that I couldn't go on this trip.
AMY GOODMAN: You mentioned Muhammad Ali in your letter. I wanted to go to a clip of Muhammad Ali in his own words.
MUHAMMAD ALI: My conscience won't let me go shoot my brother or some darker people, some poor, hungry people in the mud, for big, powerful America. And shoot them for what? They never called me nigger. They never lynched me. They didn't put no dogs on me. They didn't rob me of my nationality and rape and kill my mother and father. Why would I want to—shoot them for what? I got to go shoot them, those little poor little black people, little babies and children, women. How can I shoot them poor people? Just take me to jail.
AMY GOODMAN: That was Muhammad Ali as he protested the war in Vietnam. What does Muhammad Ali mean to you, Michael?
MICHAEL BENNETT: I think that Muhammad Ali is an inspiration for all athletes to, you know, use their platform for good. And I think, as an athlete, a lot of times, you know, you get caught in the marketing situation where you're marketing for so many brands that you forget that you are a person and that there's things that's going on that, with just some words that you speak, you can inspire young kids to make decisions, or you could bring awareness to things that are going on. So, Muhammad Ali, he just inspires me just to be the voice for the voiceless, like, you know, to be able to use my platform. And this generation is so different from back then, when, you know, protesting and rallies and all kinds of things, you had to go out and find 500,000 people and get them to follow you and do all this kind of things to share your message. But now, you know, just with the click of a button on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, you can reach a million people, and you can share your message. And when you share your message, you can change a lot of lives.
AMY GOODMAN: You know, the Israel trip was right around the time that the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, came to the United States and had a news conference with Donald Trump. And it's the president that I want to talk to you about right now. Your thoughts on President Trump?
MICHAEL BENNETT: I mean, you know, is it a—growing up, you know, you see all these different things. And when he became the president, I was like, "Oh, this is really—this is really happening." I think a lot of people were shocked. And, you know, me, for a man with three daughters, and I see the things that—you know, he talks about women. And I see the women moving and the movement, you know, and I just don't agree with a lot of the things that he says or really does. I think, you know, you think about building a wall, when America is built from immigrants and by immigrants, and a lot of things that are done by them and so many great people. I think I just disagree with a lot of his policies and his terms. And, you know, I hope that he realizes that it takes a—it takes everybody to have a place like America. It takes people from Chinese descent, African descent, Italian descent, Irish descent, Spanish, Native American—it takes everybody to, you know, have a country like this. And I just disagree with the way that he handles the people, you know, the women, the immigrants. I just think—you know, I don't think he thinks about the choices and the mindset that he creates for younger people that might disagree with somebody, and they just go out and they want to disrespect them for not being the same.
AMY GOODMAN: Your brother, Martellus Bennett, who plays for the New England Patriots, was also just in the headlines. Five teammates of his and him—he began this all—said they won't visit the White House for the traditional Super Bowl celebration, as a protest against Donald Trump. Do you support his decision? Can you talk about how he came to that, and your thoughts on it, as well?
MICHAEL BENNETT: I definitely support his decision. I think when a person has to deal with, you know, a lot of ridicule coming from their decision, and they still make the decision, I think they're a strong person. I think, you know, I definitely agree with him for making his stand. I don't know exactly why he—I know he disagrees with a lot of stuff that Trump says, so I think that's the reason why he doesn't want to go. And I think he doesn't want to support something that's a system that's keeping people of color down, a systematic system that is keeping people of color down. I think he doesn't want to participate in that. And I could understand that.
AMY GOODMAN: You also mentioned John Carlos in your letter to the world explaining why you wouldn't go on this Israel government-sponsored trip. I wanted to go to Dave Zirin's documentary film Not Just a Game, which features an interview with John Carlos, who famously raised his fist in a Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
JOHN CARLOS: All we ask for is equal chance to be a human being. And, as far as I see now, we're five steps below the ladder, and every time we try and touch the ladder, they put their foot on our hands and don't want us to climb up.
AMY GOODMAN: So, that was John Carlos back then, soon after he raised his fist in the Black Power salute. And I'm going to also play a clip of John Carlos today, in our studios at Democracy Now!, when he came to visit us.
JOHN CARLOS: Mr. Smith and I, we took various artifacts out there to try and illustrate certain points that we wanted to get across to society, which we really never got a chance to expose to the general public. But we wore the black glove out there primarily because this is the first time the Olympics was in color, Technicolor. So we wanted to be no doubt as to who we were representing first. We were representing our race first, and then we was representing the United States second.
AMY GOODMAN: That was John Carlos describing what he did in 1968. Michael Bennett, he suffered enormously over the years. It hurt his career. He got tremendous both criticism, but, over the decades, has been prouder and prouder of what he has done. What did that action mean to you? And do you feel repercussions for standing up, you know, whether we're talking about endorsements or repercussions from the NFL?
MICHAEL BENNETT: I think—I think when John Carlos did that, I don't think the world was ready for what he did. I think now the world is ready for change. You see so many different people, of all different ethnicities, marching, doing everything together. And I think, with technology, you know, you can share your message. I think when he did that, I think, you know, repercussions of what he did, I thought, yeah, it probably hindered his career or the things that happened to him, but ultimately, like you said—I mean, I think in sports sometime, people, you know, identify with the—your legacy with how many touchdowns you get, how many yards you score or how many medals you win, how many dunks you get, how many grand slams you win. But, ultimately, I feel like your legacy is definitely, you know, how many kids you can reach in your community, how much change can you make, because at the end of the day, the records are being broken, but that fist that he held up is still staying the same. It's a stagnant picture forever. People remember that fist being something. People don't remember who won the 1979 gold medal or the 1985 gold medal, but they remember that moment when he put his fist up.
AMY GOODMAN: We're talking to Michael Bennett, a Seattle Seahawks defensive end, outspoken on everything from politics in the world to what's happening within the NFL. We're also joined by Dave Zirin, sports editor for The Nation magazine, also host of Edge of Sports. Dave, how unusual is Michael and Martellus, the Bennett brothers, I mean, in being quite fearless in speaking out?
DAVE ZIRIN: Well, I think Michael Bennett is a person of uncommon character. I think folks hear that. But while he's a person of uncommon character, he is also a part of a wave of athletes who are speaking out right now and have been speaking out over the last several years. And I think this is happening because of a perfect storm of reasons, everything from the influence of the Black Lives Matter movement to the influence of social media, to the fact that there are just people in the streets right now absolutely fed up with what's happening both in this country and in the world. And we have to remember that athletes don't live in this hermetically sealed chamber apart from this, like Michael Bennett spoke about. I mean, he has daughters, and there is a misogynist and sexual harasser in the White House. You can't be apart from that. Or the fact that, you know, Michael Bennett is somebody who reads the work of Angela Davis. I know that about Michael. And Angela Davis just wrote a book called Freedom is a Constant Struggle, that connects the issues of Ferguson and Palestine.
MICHAEL BENNETT: It's a really good book.
DAVE ZIRIN: Yeah. And we can't speak about the issue—as Angela Davis argues, we can't speak about Black Lives Matter in this country without looking at it globally. And that's what Michael Bennett did, in terms of applying that political analysis to this trip, that was being sent over to hype brand Israel and create goodwill ambassadors. So these things are connected to much broader struggles, but at the same time, it still takes those individuals, just like John Carlos raising his fist in 1968, just like Colin Kaepernick taking that knee. It still takes those individuals who are willing to stand up and speak out and share with the world what it is they're learning and experiencing. And that's what makes Michael Bennett unique, but at the same time, as we're seeing, courage is contagious. So when Michael Bennett speaks out, you see the ripple effect across the NFL, across the sports world and across sports fandom, as well.
AMY GOODMAN: Dave just raises this issue of Colin Kaepernick, who really electrified the country, and I don't know if he started a movement, but certainly added power to a movement, the decision to take a knee during the playing of the national anthem. Michael Bennett, your thoughts on what Colin did and the effect it had on you?
MICHAEL BENNETT: I mean, to be honest, I really didn't think that that movement would be coming from Colin Kaepernick. I thought it would probably be coming from somewhere else in the NFL. I just—I think I was blindsided when it was him. Like, when it was him who made that decision to—you know, to do it, I was like, "Wow! Kaepernick is like—he's like on a whole 'nother level right now. He's trying to change—he's trying to make a conversation about something that should have been had a conversation about a long time ago." And when he took that knee, it just—it just made me realize that, you know, when he did that and the way that he touched—made people speak around the world about this, it was like, "Wow! Athletes really do have this platform that a lot of people just want to hear." And when he made that decision to do that, I think it changed a lot of lives. I think it brought out some ugliness in people, but it also brought out some beauty in some people. And I think, for us, for me personally, it just challenged me to be—to even, you know, join him and try to make it—try to make everything in his message more—make it where people understand it and they want to be a part of it, where young kids are speaking about it, too.
For me, the greatest thing about what he did wasn't that the adults were having a conversation about it; it was that the young people were having a conversation about it. It was the 10-year-old, 9-year-old teams. You know, they're not even getting paid in the NFL, and they just—they're fearless. They're taking a knee. And they don't even know—they understand why they're taking a knee, but at the same time, they really don't understand the magnitude of what they're doing. And then you take the middle school teams that are taking a knee, and there's not even a lot of fans in the stadium, but they're taking that knee. And you see high school people doing it, and you see college people doing it. Then you see guys in the NFL doing it. And it's like, man, that started a fire. And the greatest thing was that the young kids were aware, starting to be awoke about things that are going on, and more aware. And I thought that was the coolest part about all of it. It was that the young people—the seed that he planted with the young people, it started growing, and it caught—started growing like fire and just started growing like weeds everywhere. And it was special. I think that, you know, he did something really special. And really, it all started with a knee. And that's the funniest part about it. And I think it was—I think it was a great—and it was a great thing.
AMY GOODMAN: And you had the students at Mizzou, at the University of Missouri, Black Lives Matter activists demanding change, ultimately toppled their president when the college football team said they wouldn't play until the president left.
MICHAEL BENNETT: What those kids did was, and Missouri, was the truth of it all: People are the power. I think people have so much power when they connect together and they have a belief in something. I think, truly, if you look at all the great philosophers or the people that wrote—the people there before us, the revolutionaries, the people that wanted to create change—and, you know, they talk about solidarity. And to have solidarity among young people to really, you know, put their minds together and join together and say, "Look, this is going to change. This is what's going to change," and come and go and force the president out, I think that was—that was just the most amazing thing of the whole year.
AMY GOODMAN: Michael, you mentioned Angela Davis before. I wanted to go to a clip of her. This was the day after Donald Trump's inauguration. He had about 180,000 people at his inauguration. The next day, there was at least three times that number of people in Washington, not to mention—
MICHAEL BENNETT: Yeah.
AMY GOODMAN: —the millions of people who were protesting all over the country. This is Angela Davis speaking at that protest.
ANGELA DAVIS: Over the next months and years, we will be called upon to intensify our demands for social justice, to become more militant in our defense of vulnerable populations. Those who still defend the supremacy of white, male heteropatriarchy had better watch out. The next 1,459 days of the Trump administration will be 1,459 days of resistance.
AMY GOODMAN: Angela Davis, speaking on January 21st, the day after the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump. Michael Bennett, her significance in your life and in your family's life in terms of being a model?
MICHAEL BENNETT: I think, you know, she's just a—to me, she is just a—besides my wife, I just—I just love everything about her. I think when you have a person that, you know, speaks their mind no matter what, regardless of the backlash to—and the things that she's been through. I mean, there's a lot of times that people talk to you, but they've never been through anything, and they never really fought that fight. They just speak about it. But I think, for her, she actually genuinely is on the ground daily. Her daily fight, her daily struggle, her daily everything, is to make change in life. Whether it's in Australia for women's—for women in jail, whether it's here for political prisoners, whether it's here for Black Lives Matter, whether it's in Palestine, it's just her whole life is about how to create change. And I think that's important.
I think she just encourages me to be able to, you know, really dedicate my life to try to make change. And it really—really, everything else doesn't really matter if there's always a system that keeps certain people down. Nothing really matters if—how many touchdowns I score, if another black kid is shot and killed. Doesn't matter how many sacks I get, if the education system is unfair for black youth or people of color youth. Doesn't matter how many times I hit Tom Brady or any other quarterback, if there's a wall being built. You know what I mean? So, and she just gives me power to just go out there and just speak how I feel, you know, also educate myself on the things.
I mean, I think she's just a great role model for young women, even if you don't agree with her message or you don't agree with the things that she says. But you cannot—you can't disagree with her courage. You can't disagree with her ability to speak and make a movement. You can't disagree with her ability to organize. And I think that's what young people have to really look up to her, is how do we organize, how do we come together and try to create change. And I think with her doing all the things she's done, it just motivates us to just keep growing and know that there is a possibility that we can link up as people, not even looking at color. We're just looking to link and connect as people and growing and try to make change and not let, you know, the government do what they want to us, you know, give us a chance to go out there and just speak our mind and get the young people to take a step forward. I think she's just a courageous person. And I get goosebumps whenever I talk—you know, whenever I talk to her or if I just listen to her messages that she spoke or if I'm just reading the book. You know, reading one of her books, it just motivates me.
AMY GOODMAN: As you talk about speaking up, what are your thoughts, finally, on the crackdown on immigrants right now, the attempt to build the wall on the southern border of the United States and the Muslim ban? It's something that really President Trump has used to describe what took place.
MICHAEL BENNETT: I think, to be honest, I disagree with it all. I think, you know, this country was built on immigrants, if you think, from African Americans coming from Africa, being enslaved and building all the things that they built, you know, the White House, all the things that they built. Then you go to the Asians. They're here. They built all the railroads, built all the things on the West Coast. The Spanish, who built all these different things. And Native Americans, who built all these different things. To the labor on the backs of slaves and the labor of immigrants. And I think, at this point, you know, they should definitely not be kicked out, because they're the ones who built this place.
AMY GOODMAN: Have you been surprised by all that President Trump has done in his first month in office, and also by the amount of resistance that he's faced all over the country?
MICHAEL BENNETT: No, I'm not surprised by the resistance. I think this is a time—and there's been so many different times where there's been so many times for movements, whether it's in the '60s, you know, during World War II or during Vietnam or during all these different times, you know, civil rights movements and all these movements. And I think this is a time where people are coming to agreeance that we're all just human beings, and we're all part of the system, and it takes all of us to grow. So, the resistance to trying to divide us, no, I'm not surprised in it. I'm actually encouraged, and I'm just happy that everybody is starting to come together and have that full circle.
AMY GOODMAN: That's NFL star Michael Bennett. He plays defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks, speaking to us from Honolulu, Hawaii. Michael Bennett recently pulled out of an Israeli government-sponsored trip to Israel for NFL players.
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This was put up on a government website, but eventually removed.

Friday, February 17, 2017

Mothers and other feats of terror


THE ABSURD TIMES







From Latuff: We need only add that Trump announced that he is "the LEAST anti-Semitic person who ever lived."  This was in response to a question about his supporters painting swastikas around the country.  As often said, Hitler is getting very angry at being compared to Trump.



Terrorists

By

Alan Shore, Esq.



MOTHERS

We finally can thak Donald for protecting us from the most feared terrorists of all: Mothers, especially Mexican Mothers.  These perfidious agents not only produce people who went on to become citizens, but they feed, clothe, and help educate them.  There are all the things that cannot be tolerated in our society.  Sure, a few of these evil mothers hide behind religion and find sanctuary in a church sometimes, but nothing will stop our administrations efforts to eradicate mothers from the face of this earth.



Witness all the mothers Trump had the Saudis gun down in Yemen.  He is not fooling around.  He may even have knocked off an odd mother or two in his own raid.  True, it cost the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, but the war on mothers will prevail!



And do not forget ISIS!  None of those Islamic Terrorists would be possible were it not for mothers.  Mothers gave birth to these terrorists, nursed them, fed them, clothed them, and then helped educate them.  Without mothers, there would be no ISIS!



BDS

Now that you have access to the Constitution, you can check out the first Amendment.  Now it has been made against the law to say anything in favor of Boycotting, Divesting from, or Sanctioning Israel.  So far as the amendment goes, it is unconstitutional to forbid such speech or abridge it in any way whatsoever.  Sure, so-called judges on the so-called Supreme Court have said that under certain circumstances you should not, but even they did not provide for punishments.



LIES

Now sure, we have the fake news media, entities such as the failing New York Times, and also FOX (we told you so here first, although for different reasons), CNN, the Washington Post, and so on, but there are no lies in the Absurd Times, nope, never, ever!  This administration did not even mention this powerhouse of information.  They are afraid to.  However, we have to point out that the deeds Mike Flynn did with respect to lying to the FBI is the same thing, exactly, as what Governor Blagoyovitch (sp) was convicted with.  If he had just shut up and accepted his sentence, he would have spent maybe 2 years in a nice retreat of a Federal Farm instead of what he is doing now.  Mike Flynn, plead guilty and get it over with.



NEWS

Back in the days of Hitler, the only comic I know of who made fun of Hitler was Charlie Chaplin who was later hounded by the House of Un-American Activities Committee.  Today, it is simply too easy.  Even newscasters and outlets simply have to play excerpts from his Press Conference to get a laugh.  We give up.  All we need to add is that the fake news is now the very fake news. 



A FINAL NOTE 

During the press conference, a treat to be sure for all professional comedians, Trump announced that he had won the election by more "electoral votes than anyone since Reagan."  This, of course, is an "alternate fact."  The objective facts is that every single President since Reagan with the exception of Bush Jr. won by MORE electoral votes than did Trump.  When given a few examples to the contrary of his pronouncement, he responded, "well, that's what I was told.  I think I saw it somewhere too."  



I should add here that every single journalist found the entire thing amusing and ridiculous with the exception of Fox's Shepherd Smith who was simply angry, turned to the camera, and scolded him.  






Saturday, February 11, 2017

It's the Constitution, Stupid

The Absurd Times




There was a time when the phrase used to be "It's the Economy, Stupid!"  Some may remember that.  Well, we have managed to sink into the basics: "It's the Constitution, Stupid."



Since that seems to be what is needed, we though we would have to start with that before going any further with this present administration.  Someone once asked if DT had ever read it, and I replied, "I doubt it, it is too long."  Still, it should be available at as many places as possible, so here it is, complete and unabridged:



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.
Index (access key I)
Subject Index (access key S)

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 threeYears 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 one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least oneRepresentative; 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 Carolina five, 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 sixYears; 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 the second 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 chusing Senators.
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 the Concurrence 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 of one 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 fourYears, 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 Mannerchuse 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 and Duties 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 other Emolument 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 onesupreme 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 ofTreason, 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 of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the oneor 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 third Lines 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

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

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

(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-one years 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 apportionment among 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 twoSenators  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 of three-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 temporeof 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
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 16: Amendment XVIII repealed by Amendment XXI Section 1.
·                        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.
·                        White House - kid's page - same as the first one above at the government archives.
·                        Ben's Guide for Kids Spanish & French versions and some history
·                        Federal Citizen Information Center
Other versions (NOT used as source material, only listed for your further reference):
·                        The U.S. Constitution at Cornell Law School
·                        Exact-size reproduction of the first public printing of the U.S. Constitution as it appeared in the September 19, 1787 issue of the Pennsylvania Packet remember at this time often the letter s was often printed as letter that is very similar to f (Warn: pop-up ads)
·                        Lesson Plans at the Library of Congress


How to use this version

skip to Accessibility   up to SourcesSelect vision as needed
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 Hide Clause #s (Access key N)
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( 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 cursor over 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.
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·                        THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
o                                            (Preamble)
o                                            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
o                                            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
o                                            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
o                                            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
o                                            Article V - Mode of Amendment
o                                            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
o                                            Article VII - Ratification
o                                            Letter of Transmittal
o                                            Letter of Transmittal to the President of Congress
·                        Amendments to the Constitution
o                                            (The Preamble to The Bill of Rights)
o                                            (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
o                                            [Article XI] - Suits Against States
o                                            [Article XII] - Election of President
o                                            Article XIII - Slavery and Involuntary Servitude
§                                                                  Section 1 - Slavery and Involuntary Servitude
§                                                                  Section 2 - Enforcement
o                                            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
o                                            Article XV - Rights of Citizens to Vote
o                                            Article XVI - Income Tax
o                                            [Article XVII] - Popular Election of Senators
§                                                                  Section 1
§                                                                  Section 2
§                                                                  Section 3
o                                            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
o                                            Article [XIX] - Women's Suffrage Rights
§                                                                  Section 1 - Women's Suffrage Rights
§                                                                  Section 2 - Enforcement
o                                            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
o                                            Article [XXI] - Repeal of Eighteenth Amendment
§                                                                  Section 1 - Repeal of Eighteenth Amendment
§                                                                  Section 2 - Transportation of intoxicating liquors
§                                                                  Section 3 - Ratification
o                                            Amendment XXII - Presidential Tenure
§                                                                  Section 1 - Presidential Tenure
§                                                                  Section 2 - Enforcement
o                                            Amendment XXIII - Presidential Electors for the District of Columbia
§                                                                  Section 1 - Presidential Electors for the District of Columbia
§                                                                  Section 2 - Enforcement
o                                            Amendment XXIV - Abolition of the Poll Tax Qualification in Federal Elections
o                                            Amendment XXV - Presidential Vacancy, Disability, and Inability
o                                            Amendment XXVI - Reduction of Voting Age Qualification
§                                                                  Section 1 - Reduction of Voting Age Qualification
§                                                                  Section 2 - Enforcement
o                                            Amendment XXVII - Congressional Pay Limitation
·                        NOTES
o                                            Note 1: Original source of the Constitution text.
o                                            Note 2: Article 1 Section 2 Clause 3 modified by Amendment XIV, and Amendment XVI.
o                                            Note 3: Article 1 Section 3 Clause 1 has been affected by Amendment XVII.
o                                            Note 4: Article 1 Section 3 Clause 2 modified by Amendment XVII.
o                                            Note 5: Article 1 Section 4 Clause 2 modified by Amendment XX.
o                                            Note 6: Article 1 Section 6 Clause 1 modified by Amendment XXVII.
o                                            Note 7: Article 1 Section 9 Clause 4 modified by Amendment XVI.
o                                            Note 8: Article 2 Section 1 Clause 3 superseded by amendment XII.
o                                            Note 9: Article 2 Section 1 Clause 6 modified by amendment XX and amendment XXV.
o                                            Note 10: Article 3 Section 2 Clause 1 modified by amendment XI.
o                                            Note 11: Article 4 Section 2 Clause 3 modified by amendment XIII.
o                                            Note 12: The Bill of Rights
o                                            Note 13: Only the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th numbered at ratification.
o                                            Note 14: Part of Amendment XII superseded by Amendment XX.
o                                            Note 15: Article XIV is modified by Amendment XIX and Amendment XXVI.
o                                            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
o                                            Jun 21, 1788 Constitution
o                                            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
o                                            Feb 7, 1795 [Article XI] - Suits Against States
o                                            Jun 15, 1804 [Article XII] - Election of President
o                                            Dec 6, 1865 Article XIII - Slavery and Involuntary Servitude
o                                            Jul 9, 1868 Article XIV - Rights Guaranteed: Privileges and Immunities of Citizenship, Due Process, and Equal Protection
o                                            Feb 3, 1870 Article XV - Rights of Citizens to Vote
o                                            Feb 3, 1913 Article XVI - Income Tax
o                                            Apr 8, 1913 [Article XVII] - Popular Election of Senators
o                                            Jan 16, 1919 Article [XVIII] - Prohibition of Intoxicating Liquors
o                                            Aug 18, 1920 Article [XIX] - Women's Suffrage Rights
o                                            Jan 23, 1933 Article [XX] - Terms of President, Vice President, Members of Congress: Presidential Vacancy
o                                            Mar 21, 1947 Article [XXI] - Repeal of Eighteenth Amendment
o                                            Feb 27, 1951 Amendment XXII - Presidential Tenure
o                                            Mar 29, 1961 Amendment XXIII - Presidential Electors for the District of Columbia
o                                            Jan 24, 1964 Amendment XXIV - Abolition of the Poll Tax Qualification in Federal Elections
o                                            Feb 10, 1967 Amendment XXV - Presidential Vacancy, Disability, and Inability
o                                            Jul 1, 1971 Amendment XXVI - Reduction of Voting Age Qualification
o                                            May 7, 1992 Amendment XXVII - Congressional Pay Limitation
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·                        Labeling


Subject Index

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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 VW 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
o                                            President - Article II Section 1 Clause 5
o                                            Representatives - Article I Section 2 Clause 2
o                                            Senators - Article I Section 3 Clause 3
·                        Age, voting - Amendment XXVI
·                        Ambassadors
o                                            Case controversies - Article III Section 2 Clause 1
o                                            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
·                        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
·                        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
o                                            annual meetings - Article I Section 4 Clause 2;
o                                            declaring war - Article I Section 8 Clauses 11-14
o                                            legislative proceedings - Article I Section 5 Clause 2
o                                            members, compensation and privileges - Article I Section 6 Clause 1;
o                                            organization - Article I Section 1
o                                            powers - Article I Section 8; Amendment XII
o                                            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
·                        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
·                        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
·                        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
·                        General welfare, Congress' power - Article I Section 8 Clause 1
·                        Grand jury indictments - Amendment V
·                        Grievances, redress of - Amendment I
·                        Habeas corpus - Article I Section 9 Clause 2
·                        House of Representatives
o                                            election to & eligibility for - Article I Section 2 Clause 2
o                                            members' terms of office - Article I Section 2 Clause 1; Article I Section 6 Clause 2
o                                            Speaker of - Article I Section 2 Clause 5; Amendment 24; Amendment 25
o                                            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
o                                            vacancies - Article I Section 2 Clause 4
·                        Immunities (see Privileges and immunities)
·                        Impeachment
o                                            officials subject to - Article II Section 4
o                                            penalties - Article I Section 3 Clause 7
o                                            power of, lodged in House - Article I Section 2 Clause 5
o                                            reasons - Article II Section 4
o                                            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
·                        Judiciary
o                                            inferior courts - Article I Section 8 Clause 9; Article III Section 1
o                                            judicial review - Article III Section 2 Clause 2
o                                            jurisdiction - Article III Section 2 Section 2
o                                            nomination & confirmation of judges - Article II Section 2 Clause 2
o                                            Supreme Court - Article III Section 1
o                                            terms of office & compensation - Article III Section 1
·                        Jury trials - Article III Section 2 Clause 3; Amendment VI; Amendment VII
·                        "Lame duck" amendment - Amendment XX
·                        Liquor - Amendment XVIII; Amendment XXI
·                        Marque and reprisal, letters of - Article I Section 8 Clause 11
·                        Men (see Persons)
·                        Militia (Military) - Amendment II; Amendment V
o                                            congressional powers - Article I Section 8 Clause 15
o                                            presidential powers - Article II Section 2 Clause 1
·                        Money - Article I Section 8 Clause 5-6
·                        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
·                        Oath of office, federal and state - Article II Section 1 Clause 8; Article VI
·                        Original jurisdiction - Article III Section 2 Clause 2
·                        (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
o                                            disability - A25,3
o                                            election - Article II Section 1; Amendment 12; Amendment 22; Amendment 23
o                                            eligibility for office - Article II Section 1
o                                            legislation, role in - Article I Section 7
o                                            oath of office - Article II Section 1
o                                            powers & duties - Article IV Section 2
o                                            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
·                        Ratification of Constitution - Article V
·                        Religion, freedom of - Amendment I
·                        Religious oaths - Article VI
·                        Resident (see Inhabitant) - Article II Section 1 Clause 5
·                        Search and seizure - Amendment 4
·                        Seas, Congress' power - Article I Section 8
·                        Secrecy - Article I Section 5
·                        Self-incrimination - Amendment 5
·                        Senate
o                                            election to & eligibility for - Article I Section 3
o                                            equal representation of states - V
o                                            officers - Article I Section 3
o                                            President of - Article I Section 3;Amendment 12
o                                            President of, pro tempore - Article I Section 3;Amendment 25
o                                            special powers
§                                                                  impeachment trials - Article I Section 3
§                                                                  Presidential appointments - Article II Section 2
§                                                                  treaties - Article II Section 2
o                                            terms of office - Article I Section 3; Article I Section 6
o                                            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
·                        Taxing power
o                                            in general - Article I Section 7 Clause 1; Article I Section 8 Clause 1
o                                            direct taxes prohibited - Article I Section 9 Clause 4
o                                            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
·                        Veto, President's power - Article I Section 7 Clause 2
·                        Vice-President
o                                            conditions for assuming Presidency - Article II Section 1 Clause 6; Amendment XX Section 3; Amendment XXV
o                                            declaring President disabled, role in - Amendment XX Section 4; Amendment XXV
o                                            succession to - Amendment XX Section 4; Amendment XXV
o                                            Senate, role in - Article I Section 3 Clause 4; Amendment XII
o                                            term of office - Article II Section 1 Clause 1
·                        Voting rights - Amendment XIV; Amendment XXIV
o                                            blacks, former slaves - Amendment XV
o                                            eighteen-years-old - Amendment XXVI Section 1
o                                            women - Amendment XIX Section 1
·                        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)


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Ratifications

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 firstMonday 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 concurrence of 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, seven States 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 the ThirdCongress, 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 the EighthCongress, 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 the Thirty-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 the Thirty-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 the FortiethCongress, 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 the Sixty-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 the Sixty-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 the Sixty-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-Second Congress, 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


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