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U.S. Constitution (original)

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description U.S. Constitution (original) Overview

The original United States Constitution was signed in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, after being drafted by delegates to the Constitutional Convention. Written on parchment, it establishes the structure and powers of the federal government, divides authority among three branches, and defines relationships between the federal government and the states. The document is preserved and displayed by the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

help U.S. Constitution (original) FAQ

Where is the original United States Constitution physically stored today?

The original four-page document is housed in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. It is stored in a sealed glass case filled with argon gas to preserve the parchment and ink from degradation.

Which delegates did not actually sign the original U.S. Constitution in 1787?

Of the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, only 39 signed the final document. Notable figures who refused to sign included Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry, largely because it lacked a Bill of Rights.

How many words are in the original text of the U.S. Constitution?

The original document, including all of its signatures, contains exactly 4,543 words. It is the shortest and oldest written constitution still in active use by any major nation in the world today.

Who physically hand-wrote the final drafted copy of the U.S. Constitution?

The primary physical drafting of the text was executed by Jacob Shallus, an assistant clerk who was paid $30 to engross the final parchment. The meetings were overseen by William Jackson, the secretary of the Constitutional Convention.

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