The Constitution of the United States: Let Me Reintroduce Myself

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. —The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, Copied from the National Archives

The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription | National Archives.

As we near the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America, let’s talk about the law of the land: The Constitution of the United States.

We have all heard of it, we hear many references to it, especially in current political discourse, but have we read it? Do we know what it is about?

The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of this country, meant to guarantee fundamental rights and freedoms. It is the guiding force of this nation. Every federal and state official–whether the president of the United States, a member of Congress, a soldier in the military, a police officer or a federal worker–promises to support and defend the Constitution. It is not to an individual, not to a foreign nation, but to this charter. This allegiance is meant to be a protection for all.

The Constitution was birthed out of tumultuous circumstances: a new nation in the throes of separating itself from a tyrannical power. The young country was under great pressure to provide safety and stability that the states were struggling to provide. The states especially needed support in covering war debts as well as conducting international trade and negotiating diplomacy. The federal government needed a way to meet these great demands and obligations.

This way, informed by numerous ideas that ranged from ancient texts about Sumerian law and the Magna Carta to scientific research on solar system orbits and biology about a body’s constitution, laid the groundwork for much discussion and debate. And this groundwork became the foundation for a great experiment on governance.

As if the nation, at this time, was not fully consumed with the great task of drafting the law of the land (known as the Constitutional Convention that started in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787), the thirteen states were simultaneously drafting their own constitutions. To put it colloquially: there was a lot going on. These processes of debating, contributing, voting, writing, and editing took an incredible amount of time and effort. In tandem, numerous state conventions were held to consider and vote on proposed changes to the working Constitution draft. The process was arduous and tedious. The exhausting back and forth between the contributors, writers, and state residents and legislators from every level spanned several months and required numerous revisions, many state conventions, and a multitude of compromises that eventually came to a tentative end. The term tentative seems to fit, as not everyone could be fully comfortable and in agreement. The same can be said for today. The final document was signed on September 17, 1787.

The U.S. Constitution is organized into three parts. The Preamble, The Articles, and The Amendments.

The Preamble is the introduction to The Constitution. It sets the intention and hopes of the newly birthed nation. Interestingly, it was added to the document almost as an afterthought. In recent times, however, the beginning phrase, “We the People of the United States…” is one of the most recognizable introductory phrases.

The Seven Articles lay out the structure of the federal government, detail each branch’s duties and responsibilities, and provide guidance on how the country should operate. One of the most important features, included in the Articles, that ensures fair representation in Congress, came out of the Connecticut Compromise of the Constitutional Convention. It established proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate.

The Amendments are the active part of the U.S. Constitution. Although the Constitution was meant to resist change–to protect the citizens from dangerous influences or whims– it is also designed to allow for adjustment to fit current times. Or metaphorically speaking, the process is akin to mending a torn garment or amending a quilt by adding new squares to repair worn areas, resulting in an enhanced and more effective covering. They are also meant to provide stability and to allow a way to adjust to the will of the people without violence or insurrection. The means for making changes are outlined in Article V.

The first 10 Amendments are The Bill of Rights, which establish the fundamental protections every person in this country is entitled to. The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791, and the last Amendment, the 27th, was certified on May 18, 1992.

The Bill of Rights

(—Copied from the National Archives: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript.)

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment II

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.

Amendment III

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.

Amendment IV

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.

Amendment V

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.

Amendment VI

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.

Amendment VII

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.

Amendment VIII

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

Amendment IX

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

Amendment X

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.

Although some of the language or circumstances surrounding the birth of the Constitution may seem unrelatable or old-fashioned, the themes and hopes still resonate. These ideals are still tirelessly fought for and maintained today.

This is the first blog in the U.S. Civics refresher series. Let’s revisit the basics and gain new insights together!

Did You Know?

”…Massachusetts is the oldest written constitution in the world still in use, and more than any other state constitution, it served as the model for the U.S. Constitution.”
Federalist versus Anti-Federalist: “Federalists not only supported the Constitution but subscribed to a particular set of ideas about politics and government, commerce and diplomacy. An “Anti-Federalist”, however, was anyone who objected to the Constitution on any ground. They “didn’t necessarily agree about much else.””
Amendments 13, 14, and 15 which abolished slavery, established the full rights of citizenship to birth and naturalized citizens, and gave citizens the right to vote are arguably the most influential and groundbreaking amendments.
The Amendment that never was ERA. The Equal Rights Amendment that would grant equal rights to all citizens regardless of sex, was vigorously advocated and hotly contested from the 1920’s to the 1980’s. The seeds for the Amendment, however, were planted before the United States was established.
Native nations in the United States have their own Constitutions. And some of these Constitutions have introduced the concept of granting rights to nature, which in turn inspired the environmental protection movements.

The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Charles County Public Library.

*Although the general content of this blog was inspired by the listed references, only the direct quotes from said references are footnoted.

References

Lepore, “We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution”, 57.

Lepore, “We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution”, 114.

Cong. Rsch. Serv., Constitution of the United States: Analysis and Interpretation, https://constitution.congress.gov (last visited January 23, 2026).

Lepore, Jill. These truths : a history of the United States. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2018.

Lepore, Jill. We the People : a history of the U.S. Constitution. New York: Liveright Publishing Corporation, 2025.

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. The Bill of Rights: A Transcription.

https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript (last visited January 13, 2026).