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The United States Constitution

Resources for researching the history, drafting, interpretation, and other elements of the U.S. Constitution.

Introduction

The Constitution of the United States of America is one of the most important documents in American history. Everything surrounding it, from its drafting to its ratification to the various amendments, has had an enormous impact on American life. Nearly everything we do is affected by the rights and obligations granted to us under the Constitution. And yet, many of us don't have a good idea of just how this groundbreaking document was created and how tightly intertwined it is with our everyday lives.

This guide will lead you to resources that will help you understand the Constitution - who wrote it and why; how and why a majority of states approved it; how it's been interpreted throughout the centuries; and how it affects our lives today. Those interested in more in-depth research can find citations to useful websites and books on the "Find Out More!" page.

See the full text of the Constitution online here.