United States Constitution

The Constitution of the United States (1789) is the written charter of government for the United States of America. It currently consists of a Preamble, seven Articles, and 27 Amendments (Amendments 1-10 are known as the Bill of Rights). The authority to amend or change the Constitution is described within the Constitution.

Carol M. Highsmith, photographer. *The dimly lit hall at the National Archive where the Charters of Freedom, the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence, are displayed. Washington, D.C.* [Between 1980 and 2006]. Carol M. Highsmith Archive. Prints and Photographs Division Library of Congress.

Below, find links to government and non-government websites that provide access to free online legal resources related to the Constitution of the United States.

U.S. Constitution: Text, Commentaries, Judicial Decisions, Influences

Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation
(Congress.gov)
The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation (also known as Constitution Annotated) is a regularly updated resource that includes the text of the U.S. Constitution and provides a legal analysis and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution based on a comprehensive review of U.S. Supreme Court case law and, where relevant, historical practices that have defined the text of the Constitution.
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A print/PDF or bound edition of this title is available from the U.S. Government Publishing Office on govinfo.gov.
Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation
(govinfo)
This print or bound edition of the Constitution Annotated is published every ten years, with cumulative updates printed as a supplement insert every two years.
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This regularly updated resource includes the text of the U.S. Constitution and provides a legal analysis and interpretation of the U.S.Constitution based on a comprehensive review of U.S. Supreme Court case law and, where relevant, historical practices that have defined the text of the Constitution.
Constitution of the United States of America as Amended: Unratified Amendments, Analytical Index (PDF)
(govinfo)
This publication (H.R. Doc. No. 110-50 (2007) contains the text of the U.S. Constitution, including amendments and proposed amendments not ratified, a historical note, and an index.
Transcription of the Introduction and the U.S. Constitution from the First Volume of the Annals of Congress
(A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation)
"When Joseph Gales compiled the early debates and proceedings of Congress for publication in 1834 he chose to introduce the first volume with a brief history of the making of the Constitution followed by the text of the Constitution itself, 'as originally adopted,' that is, without the amendments we know as the Bill of Rights." That Introduction can be found in volume 1 of the Annals of Congress.
The Constitution of the United States
(U.S. National Archives and Records Administration)
This resource, within the National Archives' America's Founding Documents collection, contains images of the original documents, links to amendments, and articles about the Constitution.
U.S. Constitution External
(Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School)
Contains the text of the U.S. Constitution, with links to "explanations" as found in the Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation.
Interactive Constitution External
(National Constitution Center)
This private nonprofit organization invited legal scholars, from diverse perspectives, to provide commentary and analysis of the text, history, and meaning of the U.S. Constitution.
The Constitution of the United States (translations) External
(National Constitution Center)
PDF copies of the U.S. Constitution in Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Simplified Chinese.
United States of America: Constitutions/Constituciones External
(Political Database of the Americas, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University)
Includes text in English and Spanish.

The Federalist Papers (1788) and various other historical documents, such as Magna Carta (1215), are sometimes credited with having influenced the content of the Constitution of the United States or its initial Amendments (the Bill of Rights). The Constitution of the Confederate States of America was influenced by the U.S. Constitution, although it radically attempted to change its effect.

Articles of Confederation (1781) External
(The Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy, Yale Law School)
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
(A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation)
This collection contains congressional publications from 1774 to 1875, including, for example, the Journals of the Continental Congress, the Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution (Elliot's Debates), and The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 (Farrand's Records).
Confederate States of America: Documents External
(The Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy, Yale Law School)
Includes the Constitution of Confederate States of America, and other Confederate legal documents.
Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, 1774 to 1789
(Library of Congress)
Digital collection of 277 documents relating to the work of Congress and the drafting and ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Declaration of Independence, including Thomas Jefferson's draft
(Library of Congress)
Provides the text of the Declaration of Independence of 1776, along with a scanned images of the original document and the four pages of Thomas Jefferson's draft of the document.
Declaration of Independence
(U.S. National Archives and Records Administration)
This resource, within the National Archives' America's Founding Documents collection, includes the text and scanned images of the original document and the initial stone engraving of the document, as well as articles and commentaries.
Declaration of Independence: Right to Institute New Government
(Library of Congress)
Online exhibit on Thomas Jefferson, including a section focused on Jefferson's work drafting and revising the document.
Federalist Papers: Primary Documents in American History
(Library of Congress)
The Federalist (also known as The Federalist Papers) was issued as a series of highly influential essays in support of the proposed United States Constitution, most of which appeared initially in New York newspapers under the pen name "Publius" during 1787 and 1788. The actual authors were Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison.
The Federalist Papers External
(The Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy, Yale Law School)
Virginia Declaration of Rights
(U.S. National Archives and Records Administration)
The immensely influential Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason, was adopted by the colonial convention June 12, 1776. The opening of the Declaration of Independence (adopted a few weeks later) borrowed from this document, and the U.S. Bill of Rights was adopted directly from this version of the natural rights of man, as previously proclaimed in the English Bill of Rights of 1689 and philosophers such as John Locke.
Virginia Declaration of Rights External
(The Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy, Yale Law School)

Below, please find free resources regarding the texts that influenced the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, arranged by country or group of origin:

ENGLAND

Magna Carta, 1215 External
(The Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy, Yale Law Library)
Translation from Latin to English of what is believed to be the first version (from 1215) of the "Great Charter." Includes glossary.
Exhibit: Magna Carta
(U.S. National Archives and Records Administration)
The "Great Charter" version of 1297, which, despite its original limited application, has long been regarded as a foundation for the development of English liberties and political rights. A translation of the text of the version of 1297, used to confirm its continuing effect at the coronation of Edward I, is offered at this site along with images of this original document, and commentaries.
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Although King John of England was pressured into signing the first version, in 1215, and he violated its terms almost immediately, later kings adhered to the limits that the Magna Carta placed on royal powers, and the document proved immensely important hundreds of years after it was initially ignored. Portions are even reflected closely in the U.S. Bill of Rights.
Magna Carta: Muse and Mentor
(Library of Congress)
This exhibition commemorates the 800th anniversary of the creation of Magna Carta and contains a section on the Magna Carta and the U.S. Constitution.
English Bill of Rights of 1689: An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown External
(The Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy, Yale Law School)
Provided specific inspiration for American "Bill of Rights" which was made into law almost a century later.

FRANCE

Declaration of the Rights of Man, 1789 (in English) External
(The Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy, Yale Law School)
French counterpart to the American "Bill of Rights" drafted by Lafayette with the assistance of Thomas Jefferson, and approved by the National Assembly of France August 26, 1789.
Déclaration des droits de l'homme et du citoyen de 1789 (in French) External
(Assemblée Nationale)
Declaration of the Rights of Man, 1789.

GREECE

Athenian Constitution by Aristotle (in English) External
(The Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy, Yale Law School)
Sir Frederic G. Kenyon's translation of Aristotle on the political structure (or constitution) of the ancient city-state of Athens, which is usually considered a prime inspiration for the form of government chosen for the United States.

IROQUOIS

Iroquois Constitution / The Great Binding Law Gayanshagowa (in multiple languages) External
(Indigenous Peoples Literature)
The English version of the historic Great Binding Law ("Gayanshagowa") of the Iroqouis Five Nations Confederacy, which is as much a social document as a legal document.

Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation
(Congress.gov)
The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation (also known as Constitution Annotated) is a regularly updated resource which includes the text of the U.S. Constitution and provides a legal analysis and interpretation of the U.S.Constitution based on a comprehensive review of U.S. Supreme Court case law and, where relevant, historical practices that have defined the text of the Constitution. Provides links to cases online.
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A print/PDF or bound edition of this title is available from the U.S. Government Publishing Office on govinfo.gov.
How to Find Free Case Law Online
(Law Library of Congress)
Supreme Court Collection: Decisions by Topic External
(Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School)

U.S. Constitution: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is observed each year on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, and “recognize all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.”

This commemoration had its origin in 1940, when Congress passed a joint resolution authorizing and requesting the President to issue annually a proclamation setting aside the third Sunday in May for the public recognition of all who had attained the status of American citizenship. The designation for this day was “I Am An American Day.”

In 1952, Congress repealed this joint resolution and passed a new law moving the date to September 17 to commemorate “the formation and signing, on September 17, 1787, of the Constitution of the United States.” The day was still designated as “Citizenship Day” and retained its original purpose of recognizing all those who had attained American citizenship. This law urged civil and educational authorities of states, counties, cities, and towns to make plans for the proper observance of the day and “for the complete instruction of citizens in their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States and of the State and locality in which they reside.”

In 2004, under Senator Byrd's urging, Congress changed the designation of this day to "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day" and added two new requirements in the commemoration of this day. First, the head of every federal agency is directed to provide each employee with educational and training materials concerning the Constitution on September 17th. Second, each educational institution that receives Federal funds should hold a program for students every September 17th.

Celebrating Constitution Day
(Federal Depository Library Program, Government Publishing Office)
Constitution Day Teacher Resources
(Library of Congress)
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
(U.S. Courts)
Constitution Day
(U.S. Senate)
Commemorating Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
(U.S. Department of Education)
Observing Constitution Day
(U.S. National Archives and Records Administration)
Lesson Plans: Constitution Day September 17th External
(Center for Civic Education)
This Center works with a network of state civics, government, and law programs sponsored by state bar associations and foundations, colleges and universities, and other civic and law non-profit organizations promoting teaching and learning about the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Teacher's Guide: Commemorating Constitution Day External
(National Endowment for the Humanities)
Constitution Day External
(National Constitution Center)
Includes a link to the classroom edition of the Interactive Constitution
Teaching the Constitution External
(Annenberg Classroom, Annenberg Public Policy Center)

1952 - President Truman proclaims the first Citizenship Day
(Law Library of Congress)
Proclamation No. 2984, 17 Fed. Reg. 6931 (July 30, 1952)
1955 - President Eisenhower proclaims the first Constitution Week
(Law Library of Congress)
Proclamation No. 3109, 20 Fed. Reg. 6209 (Aug. 25, 1955)
2000 - President Clinton proclaims Citizenship Day and Constitution Week
(Federal Register)
Proclamation No. 7343, 65 Fed. Reg. 56,771 (Sept. 19, 2000)
2005 - Department of Education Notice of Implementation of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on September 17 of Each Year
(govinfo)
70 Fed. Reg. 29,727 (May 24, 2005)
2009 - President Obama designates the week of September 17-23 as Constitution Week
(Office of the Federal Register)
Proclamation No. 8418, 74 Fed. Reg. 48,129 (Sept. 21, 2009)

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
(Office of Law Revision Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives)
36 U.S.C. § 106
To revise, codify, and enact without substantive change certain general and permanent laws, related to patriotic and national observances, ceremonies, and organizations, as title 36, United States Code . . .
(govinfo)
112 Stat. 1253, 1255-56 (1998) (codified as amended at 36 USC § 106)
Joint Resolution designating September 17 of each year as “Citizenship Day”
(govinfo)
ch. 49, 66 Stat. 9 (1952)
Joint Resolution authorizing the President...to proclaim I Am An American Day, for the recognition,...of American citizenship [PDF] External
(Internet Archive)
ch. 183, 54 Stat. 178 (1940)

U.S. Constitution: Legal Guides

America's Historical Documents
(National Archives and Records Administration)
The American Constitution: A Documentary Record External
(The Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy, Yale Law School)
Includes digital images of approximately 100 documents, with citations to the source books and materials.
Constitutional Law: An Overview External
(Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School)
Brief entry in online encyclopedia, Wex.
Constitution of the United States: Primary Documents in American History
(Library of Congress)
Framing of the United States Constitution: A Beginner's Guide
(Law Library of Congress)
Primary Documents in American History
(Library of Congress)
More than 30 research guides are available under the topic "Primary Documents in American History." These guides focus on specific amendments to the U.S. Constitution (e.g., 13th, 14th, and 19th Amendments) as well as major federal laws, treaties, and U.S. Supreme Court cases.
Timeline: American History as Seen in Congressional Documents, 1774-1873
(A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation)

Guide to Law Online: U.S. Federal

Law Library: Ask a Librarian

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United States Constitution

U.S. Constitution: Text, Commentaries, Judicial Decisions, Influences

U.S. Constitution: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

U.S. Constitution: Legal Guides