Freedom is Calling.
Explore It.
Explore
Current Issue
Election 2012
Current Issue
Election 2012
Amendment XVIII
Prohibition of Liquor
Amendment XVIII
Prohibition of Liquor
The Constitution of the united states of america
The Preamble
e 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 Articles
Articles
- Article I Legislative Branch
- Article II Executive Branch
- Article III Judicial Branch
- Article IV States, Citizenship, New States
- Article V Amendment Process
- Article VI Debts, Supremacy, Oaths, Religious Tests
- Article VII Ratification
The Amendments
The Bill of Rights
- Amendment 1 Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition
- Amendment 2 Right to Bear Arms
- Amendment 3 Quartering of Soldiers
- Amendment 4 Search and Seizure
- Amendment 5 Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Self-Incrimination, Due Process, Takings
- Amendment 6 Right to Speedy Trial by Jury, Witnesses, Counsel
- Amendment 7 Jury Trial in Civil Lawsuits
- Amendment 8 Excessive Fines, Cruel and Unusual Punishment
- Amendment 9 Non-Enumerated Rights Retained by People
- Amendment 10 Rights Reserved to States or People
Amendments 11 – 27
- Amendment 11 Suits Against States
- Amendment 12 Election of President and Vice President
- Amendment 13 Abolition of Slavery
- Amendment 14 Citizenship Rights, Equal Protection, Apportionment, Civil War Debt
- Amendment 15 Right to Vote Not Denied by Race
- Amendment 16 Income Tax
- Amendment 17 Popular Election of Senators
- Amendment 18 Prohibition of Liquor
- Amendment 19 Women’s Right to Vote
- Amendment 20 Presidential Term and Succession, Assembly of Congress
- Amendment 21 Repeal of Prohibition
- Amendment 22 Two-Term Limit on Presidency
- Amendment 23 Presidential Vote for D.C.
- Amendment 24 Abolition of Poll Taxes
- Amendment 25 Presidential Disability and Succession
- Amendment 26 Right to Vote at Age 18
- Amendment 27 Congressional Compensation
Join the Conversation
Read the Constitution Daily BlogFrom the Blog
May 24
Featured Issue
Election 2012
Trending
May 25
Where is the Constitution?
The National Constitution Center owns a rare, original copy of the first public printing of the Constitution. The Constitutional Convention was conducted under an oath of secrecy, so this printing represents the first time that “We the People” saw the Constitution. The original signed, handwritten Constitution is at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Download the U.S. Constitution
Download and view the text and high-resolution images of the Constitution and other historical documents.
Fast Facts
-
The U.S. Constitution is the oldest and shortest written constitution of any national government in the world.
-
There are 4,543 words in the original, unamended Constitution, including the signatures.
-
More than 11,000 amendments have been introduced in Congress, but only 33 have gone to the states to be ratified, and 27 have actually become amendments to the Constitution.
-
The Constitutional Convention began on May 25, 1787, and lasted until the day the finished document was signed on September 17, 1787.
-
The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. The Center is the best place to celebrate Constitution Day on that date.
Partners
Museum Hours
Monday - Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
525 Arch Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
215.409.6600
