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Constitution Annotated: A Research Guide

A research guide on the Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation ("Constitution Annotated") and related constitutional law resources.

Introduction

Howard Chandler Christy, artist. Signing of the Constitution. 1940. U.S. Capitol Building.

Constitution of the United States — Chicago: Constitution Educational Association, contributor. Constitution of the United States. 1934. Popular and Applied Graphics Art Series. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.

Consistent with the mission of the Library of Congress’s Congressional Research Service (CRS), the Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation ("Constitution Annotated") provides authoritative, objective, and non-partisan legal analysis of Supreme Court case law and, where relevant, historical practices that have defined the text and interpretation of the Constitution. In publication for over 100 years, the Constitution Annotated provides essential information to Congress and the public at large about the Constitution's history, meaning, and interpretation.

This research guide is dedicated to helping the general reader navigate and understand the Constitution Annotated, whether they are seasoned attorneys, university students writing a term paper, or anyone interested in the Constitution and how it relates to current issues.

Jerry Almonte, photographer. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Jeffrey Rosen of the National Constitution Center at the Constitution Annotated Symposium, celebrating its 100th anniversary. 2014.

Read about the Constitution Annotated.

John Carter, printer. We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union... 1787. Library of Congress Rare Book and Special Collections Division.

The Constitution Annotated Website.

Congressional Research Service, contributor. Constitution Annotated volumes, from 1938 to 2012. Earlier iterations date back to the 19th century. 2019. Timeless: Stories from the Library of Congress.