The Constitution of the United States


   The image below shows the original page one (of four pages) of the U.S. Constitution.  It was written in Philadelphia in 1787 and ratified (officially approved) by the states the next year.  The first paragraph, beginning with "We the People," is called the Preamble, and tells the purpose or goals of the Constitution.  The image is from the National Archives online collection.




 Constitution of the U.S.



Image from the National Archives




Copyright Notice

Text, arrangement, and background Copyright 2006 by David Burns.  The image shown above is from the National Archives online collection, and is believed to be in the public domain.  Images in the public domain may normally be used by teachers and students freely for instructional use.  Please credit the National Archives if you use this image.


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