American National Government: Constitution

The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom is the permanent home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights.

Federalist Papers consist of a series of 85 essays, most of which were written by Alexander Hamilton and" probed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for an energetic national government " Jefferson called it the "best commentary on the principles of government ever written."

The three documents, The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are collectively known as the Charters of Freedom.

The Articles of the Confederation were the first attempts at creating a constitution.

In June 1776, Thomas Jefferson composed a draft of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration announced to the world the separation of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain and the establishment of the United States of America.

"The Constitution, drafted in 1787 after a hard-won victory in the War for Independence, codified the spirit of the Revolution into an ingenious practical scheme of government to promote the welfare of all its citizens".

While debating the adoption of the Constitution, its opponents, demanded a "bill of rights" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens. the First Congress of the United States proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution. Articles 3-12 were ratified and constitute the first 10 ammendments of the Constitution known as the Bill of Rights.

18th Century Documents : 1700 - 1799

Important primary resources on the American Founding

Bill of Rights Institute is a non profit organization that is focused on providing educational resources on America’s Founding documents and principles for teachers and students of American History and Civics.

This Library of Congress exhibition "offers a remarkable opportunity to learn in a fresh new way how the founding documents that emerged from this period were forged out of insight, invention, and creativity, as well as collaboration and much compromise"

Created and Hosted by Independance Hall Association in Philadelphia.