The CONSTITUTION of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA


	The CONSTITUTION of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA


	The Constitution was adopted by a convention of the States on September 17, 1787, and ratification was completed on June 21, 1788. It officially went into effect on April 6, 1789. As originally written the clauses were not numbered; they have since been numbered for ease of reference. This text follows the copy signed by General George Washington and the deputies from the 12 States (Rhode Island refrained from signing until forced by the other colonies under threat of being treated as a foreign entity.)

	WHAT IS A CONSTITUTION?
	..........
	PREAMBLE
	ARTICLE 1 - The LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
	.........................	Section 1 - Legislative Powers Section 2 - House of Representatives Section 3 - Senate Section 4 - Congressional Elections and Meetings Section 5 - Internal Operations of Congress Section 6 - Privileges and Prohibitions on Members of Congress Section 7 - Procedure for Passing Laws Section 8 - Powers Delegated to Congress Section 9 - Powers Denied Congress Section 10 - Restrictions on States Legislatures
	ARTICLE 2 - The EXECUTIVE BRANCH
		Section 1 - President and Vice-President Section 2 - Powers of the President Section 3 - Other Duties of the President Section 4 - Impeachment
	ARTICLE 3 - The JUDICIAL BRANCH
		Section 1 - Federal Courts Section 2 - Jurisdiction Section 3 - Treason
	ARTICLE 4 - EQUALITY and CO-OPERATION BETWEEN STATES
		Section 1 - Public Acts, Records, and Court Proceedings of one State Valid in all Others Section 2 - Duties of States to Each Other Section 3 - New States and Territories Section 4 - Protection of the States
	ARTICLE 5 - AMENDMENT PROCESS ARTICLE 6 - GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE 7 - RATIFICATION PROCESS

	BILL OF RIGHTS
		Amendment 1 - Religion, Speech, Assembly, and Petition Rights Amendment 2 - Militia; Bearing of Arms Amendment 3 - Quartering Soldiers Amendment 4 - Personal Security and Privacy Amendment 5 - Rights while on Trial Amendment 6 - Speedy, Public Trial Amendment 7 - Right to a Jury Amendment 8 - Fines Amendment 9 - Other Rights Amendment 10 - Rights to the States and the People

	Amendment 11 - Judicial Powers Amendment 12 - Electoral Process Amended Amendment 13 - Slavery and Involuntary Servitude Abolished Amendment 14 - Naturalized Citizens; Voting Requirements; Public Debate Amendment 15 - Right to Vote Amendment 16 - Income Tax Amendment 17 - Senatorial Representation ~~Amendment 18 - Ban on Alcohol~~ Amendment 19 - Voting Rights Amendment 20 - Term Dates Amendment 21 - Repeal of Amendment 18 Amendment 22 - Term Limitation on the Office of the President Amendment 23 - Electoral Representation for the District of Columbia Amendment 24 - Voting Rights Amendment 25 - Replacing the President Amendment 26 - Voting Rights Amendment 27 - Congressional Pay Raises

	APPENDIX
	ARMS, Bearing of Articles of Confederation - the Forerunner to the Constitution Bill of Rights - What Is It? Church and State - the Most Misunderstood Phrase in American History Constitutional Convention Democracy or Republic? Electors and the Electoral College First Amendment Impeachment Income Tax Judicial Interpretation Latter-day Saints and the Constitution Militia Powers, Separation of ... see also Judicial Interpretation Proposed Amendments not Ratified by the States Rights vs Responsibilities Seven-Year Limitation WELFARE, General vs Specific SEE ALSO: The Proposed "Flag Protection" Amendment The Proposed "Marriage Amendment"