United States Constitution of 1787
Preamble: We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Article
I
Section 1 -
Legislative powers; in whom vested
All legislative
powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which
shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section 2 - House of
Representatives, how and by whom chosen Qualifications of a Representative.
Representatives and direct taxes, how apportioned. Enumeration. Vacancies to be
filled. Power of choosing officers, and of impeachment.
1. The House of
Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the
people of the several States, and the elector in each State shall have the
qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State
Legislature.
2. No person shall be
a Representative who shall not have attained the age of twenty-five years, and
been seven years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when
elected, be an inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
3. Representatives
and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be
included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall
be determined by adding the whole number of free persons, including those bound
to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths
of all other persons.(The previous sentence was superseded by Amendment XIV).
The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting
of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten
years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of
Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each State
shall have at least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be
made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three,
Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
4. When vacancies
happen in the representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof
shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.
5. The House of
Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers; and shall have
the sole power of impeachment.
Section 3 - Senators,
how and by whom chosen. How classified. State Executive, when to make temporary
appointments, in case, etc. Qualifications of a Senator. President of the
Senate, his right to vote. President pro tem., and other officers of the
Senate, how chosen. Power to try impeachments. When President is tried, Chief
Justice to preside. Sentence.
1. The Senate of the
United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, (chosen by the
Legislature thereof,) (The preceding five words were superseded by Amendment
XVII) for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.
2. Immediately after
they shall be assembled in consequence of the first election, they shall be
divided as equally as may be into three classes. The seats of the Senators of
the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year, of the
second class at the expiration of the fourth year, and of the third class at
the expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be chosen every second
year; and if vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise, during the recess
of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary
appointments until the next meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill
such vacancies. Changed by Amendment XVII
3. No person shall be
a Senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine
years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an
inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
4. The Vice-President
of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote,
unless they be equally divided.
5. The Senate shall
choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence
of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office of the President of
the United States.
6. The Senate shall
have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose,
they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the United States
is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: and no person shall be convicted
without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present.
7. Judgment in cases
of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and
disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under
the United States: but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and
subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.
Section 4 - Times,
etc., of holding elections, how prescribed. One session in each year.
1. The times, places
and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be
prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at
any time by law make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of
choosing Senators.
2. The Congress shall
assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall be on the first
Monday in December,(The words in italics were superseded by Amendment XX)
unless they by law appoint a different day.
Section 5 -
Membership, Quorum, Adjournments, Rules, Power to punish or expel. Journal.
Time of adjournments, how limited, etc.
1. Each House shall
be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members,
and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller
number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance
of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties as each House may
provide.
2. Each House may
determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly
behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member.
3. Each House shall
keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same,
excepting such parts as may in their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and
nays of the members of either House on any question shall, at the desire of
one-fifth of those present, be entered on the journal.
4. Neither House,
during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent of the other,
adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the
two Houses shall be sitting.
Section 6 -
Compensation, Privileges, Disqualification in certain cases.
1. The Senators and
Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be
ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They
shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be
privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their
respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any
speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other
place.
2. No Senator or
Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to
any civil office under the authority of the United States, which shall have
increased during such time; and no person holding any office under the United
States, shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office.
Section 7 - House to
originate all revenue bills. Veto. Bill may be passed by two-thirds of each
House, notwithstanding, etc. Bill, not returned in ten days to become a law.
Provisions as to orders, concurrent resolutions, etc.
1. All bills for
raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate
may propose or concur with amendments as on other bills.
2. Every bill which
shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it
become a law, be presented to the president of the United States; if he
approve, he shall sign it, but if not, he shall return it, with his objections,
to that house in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections
at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such
reconsideration, two thirds of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it
shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it
shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that house, it
shall become a law. But in all such cases the votes of both houses shall be
determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and
against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively. If
any bill shall not be returned by the president within ten days (Sundays
excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law,
in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment
prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law.
3. Every order,
resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of
Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment) shall be
presented to the president of the United States; and before the same shall take
effect, shall be approved by him, or, being disapproved by him, shall be
re-passed by two-thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according
to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.
Section 8 - Powers of
Congress -The Congress shall
have the power
1. To lay and collect
taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common
defence and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and
excises shall be uniform throughout the United States:
2. To borrow money on
the credit of the United States:
3. To regulate
commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the
Indian tribes:
4. To establish an
uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies
throughout the United States:
5. To coin money,
regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of
weights and measures:
6. To provide for the
punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United
States:
7. To establish
post-offices and post-roads:
8. To promote the
progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors
and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries:
9. To constitute
tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court:
10. To define and
punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offences against
the law of nations:
11. To declare war,
grant letters of marquee and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on
land and water:
12. To raise and
support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer
term than two years:
13. To provide and
maintain a navy:
14. To make rules for
the government and regulation of the land and naval forces:
15. To provide for
calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress
insurrections and repel invasions:
16. To provide for
organizing, arming and disciplining the militia and for governing such part of
them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the
states respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training
the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress:
17. To exercise
exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such district (not
exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the
acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States,
and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the
legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts,
magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful buildings: And,
18. To make all laws
which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing
powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in the government of
the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.
Section 9 - Provision
as to migration or importation of certain persons. Habeas Corpus, Bills of
attainder, etc. Taxes, how apportioned. No export duty. No commercial
preference. Money, how drawn from Treasury, etc. No titular nobility. Officers not
to receive presents, etc.
1. The migration or
importation of such persons as any of the states now existing shall think
proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year
1808, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importations, not exceeding 10
dollars for each person.
2. The privilege of
the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of
rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.
3. No bill of
attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.
4. No capitation, or
other direct tax shall be laid unless in proportion to the census or
enumeration herein before directed to be taken. (Changed by Amendment XVI)
5. No tax or duty
shall be laid on articles exported from any state.
6. No preference
shall be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of one
state over those of another: nor shall vessels bound to, or from one state, be
obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another.
7. No money shall be
drawn from the treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law; and a
regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public
money shall be published from time to time.
8. No title of
nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no person holding any
office or profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the
Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind
whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.
Section 10 - States
prohibited from the exercise of certain powers.
1. No state shall
enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation; grant
letters of marquee and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make
anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts; pass any bill
of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts,
or grant any title of nobility.
2. No state shall,
without the consent of the Congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or
exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its inspection
laws; and the net produce of all duties and imposts, laid by any state on
imports or exports, shall be for the use of the treasury of the United States;
and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the Congress.
3. No state shall,
without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops, or ships
of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another
state, or with a foreign power, or engage in a war, unless actually invaded, or
in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay.
Article
II
Section 1- President:
his term of office. Electors of President; number and how appointed. Electors
to vote on same day. Qualification of President. On whom his duties devolve in
case of his removal, death, etc. President's compensation. His oath of office.
1. The Executive
power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall
hold office during the term of four years, and together with the Vice
President, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows:
2. Each State shall
appoint, in such manner as the Legislature may direct, a number of electors,
equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State
may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or person
holding an office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be
appointed an elector. The electors shall meet in their respective States, and
vote by ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant
of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the
persons voted for each; which list they shall sign and certify, and transmit
sealed to the seat of Government of the United States, directed to the
President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of
the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the
votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes
shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of
electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such majority, and
have an equal number of votes, then the House of Representatives shall
immediately choose by ballot one of them for President; and if no person have a
majority, then from the five highest on the list the said House shall in like
manner choose the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be
taken by States, the representation from each State having one vote; a quorum
for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the
States, and a majority of all the States shall be necessary to a choice. In
every case, after the choice of the President, the person having the greatest
number of votes of the electors shall be the Vice President. But if there
should remain two or more who have equal votes, the Senate shall choose from
them by ballot the Vice President. (changed by Amendment XII)
3. The Congress may
determine the time of choosing the electors, and the day on which they shall
give their votes; which day shall be the same throughout the United States.
4. No person except a
natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the
adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President;
neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained
to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the
United States.
5 . In case of the
removal of the President from office, or of his death, resignation, or
inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall
devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by law provide for the case
of removal, death, resignation, or inability, both of the President and Vice
President, declaring what officer shall then act as President, and such officer
shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a President shall be
elected. (Changed by Amendments XX and XXV)
6. The President shall,
at stated times, receive for his services, a compensation, which shall neither
be increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been
elected, and he shall not receive within that period any other emolument from
the United States, or any of them.
7. Before he enter on
the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:
"I do solemnly
swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of
the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and
defend the Constitution of the United States."
Section 2 - President
to be Commander-in-Chief. He may require opinions of cabinet officers, etc.,
may pardon. Treaty-making power. Nomination of certain officers. When President
may fill vacancies.
1. The President
shall be Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of
the militia of the several States, when called into the actual service of the
United States; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer
in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties
of their respective offices, and he shall have power to grant reprieves and
pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.
2. He shall have
power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties,
provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors,
other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other
officers of the United States, whose appointments are not herein otherwise
provided for, and which shall be established by law: but the Congress may by
law vest the appointment of such inferior officers, as they think proper, in
the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.
3. The President
shall have the power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess
of the Senate, by granting commissions, which shall expire at the end of their
next session.
Section 3 - President
shall communicate to Congress. He may convene and adjourn Congress, in case of
disagreement, etc. Shall receive ambassadors, execute laws, and commission
officers.
He shall from time to
time give to the Congress information of the state of the Union, and recommend
to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient;
he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and
in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment,
he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; he may receive
ambassadors, and other public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be
faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United
States.
4 - All civil offices
forfeited for certain crimes.
The President, Vice
President, and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from
office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high
crimes and misdemeanors.
Article
III
Section 1- Judicial
powers. Tenure. Compensation.
The judicial power of
the United States, shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior
courts as the Congress may, from time to time, ordain and establish. The judges,
both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good
behavior, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services a
compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.
Section 2 - Judicial
power; to what cases it extends. Original jurisdiction of Supreme Court
Appellate. Trial by Jury, etc. Trial, where
1. The judicial power
shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this constitution,
the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made under
their authority; to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and
consuls; to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies
to which the United States shall be a party; to controversies between two or
more states, between a state and Citizens of another state, between Citizens of
different states, between Citizens of the same state, claiming lands under
grants of different states, and between a state, or the Citizens thereof, and
foreign states, Citizens or subjects. (Changed by Amendment XI)
2. In all cases
affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a
state shall be a party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In
all the other cases before-mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate
jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such
regulations as the Congress shall make.
3. The trial of all
crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall
be held in the state where the said crimes shall have been committed; but when
not committed within any state, the trial shall be at such place or places as
the Congress may by law have directed.
Section 3 - Treason
defined. Proof of. Punishment of.
1. Treason against
the United States shall consist only in levying war against them, or in
adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be
convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt
act, or on confession in open court.
2. The Congress shall
have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason
shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the
person attainted.
Article
IV
Section 1 - Each
State to give credit to the public acts, etc. of every other State.
Full faith and credit
shall be given in each state to the public acts, records and judicial
proceedings of every other state. And the Congress may by general laws
prescribe the manner in which such acts, records and proceedings shall be
proved, and the effect thereof.
Section 2 -
Privileges of Citizens of each State. Fugitives from Justice to be delivered
up. Persons held to service having escaped, to be delivered up.
1. The Citizens of
each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of Citizens in
the several states.
2. A person charged
in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee justice, and
be found in another state, shall, on demand of the executive authority of the
state from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the state having
jurisdiction of the crime.
3. No person held to
service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof, escaping into another,
shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such
service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such
service or labor may be due. (Changed by Amendment XIII)
Section 3 - Admission
of new States. Power of Congress over territory and other property.
1. New states may be
admitted by the Congress into this union; but no new state shall be formed or
erected within the jurisdiction of any other state, nor any state be formed by
the junction of two or more states, without the consent of the legislatures of
the states concerned, as well as of the Congress.
2. The Congress shall
have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting
the territory or other property belonging to the United States; and nothing in
this constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the
United States, or of any particular state.
Section 4 -
Republican form of government guaranteed. Each State to be protected.
The United States
shall guarantee to every state in this union, a republican form of government,
and shall protect each of them against invasion; and on application of the
legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened),
against domestic violence.
Article
V - Constitution: how
amended; proviso.
The Congress,
whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose
amendments to this constitution, or on the application of the legislatures of
two-thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing
amendments, which , in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes,
as part of this constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of
three-fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three-fourths
thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the
Congress: Provided, that no amendment which may be made prior to the year 1808,
shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of
the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of
its equal suffrage in the Senate.
Article
VI
Certain debts, ect.
declared valid, Supremacy of Constitution, treaties, and laws of the United
States, Oath to support Constitution, by whom taken. No religious test.
1. All debts
contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this
constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this
constitution, as under the confederation.
2. This constitution,
and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and
all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United
States shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state
shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any state to
the contrary notwithstanding.
3. The senators and
representatives before-mentioned, and the members of the several state
legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United
States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to
support this constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a
qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
Article
VII - What ratification
shall establish constitution.
The ratification of
the conventions of nine states, shall be sufficient for the establishment of
this constitution between the states so ratifying the same.
Amendments
to the U.S. Constitution of 1787
I - Freedom of
Speech, Press, Religion and Petition - Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances.
II - Right to keep
and bear arms - A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a
free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be
infringed.
III - Conditions for
quarters of soldiers - No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any
house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to
be prescribed by law.
IV - Right of search
and seizure regulated - The right of the people to be secure in their persons,
houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall
not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
V - Provisons
concerning prosecution - No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or
otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand
Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia,
when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be
subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor
shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be
deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall
private property be taken for public use without just compensation.
VI - Right to a
speedy trial, witnesses, etc. - In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall
enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State
and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall
have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and
cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to
have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the
assistance of counsel for his defense.
VII - Right to a
trial by jury - In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall
exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no
fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United
States, than according to the rules of the common law.
VIII - Excessive
bail, cruel punishment - Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive
fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
IX - Rule of
construction of Constitution - The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain
rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the
people.
X - Rights of the
States under Constitution - The powers not delegated to the United States by
the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the
States respectively, or to the people.
These
first ten amendments were ratified by the States on December 15, 1791
XI - Judicial Powers
Construed - The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to
extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the
United States by citizens of another State, or by citizens or subjects of any
foreign state. This amendment was passed
by Congress March 4, 1794 and ratified on February 7, 1795.
XII - Manner of
Choosing a President and Vice-President - 1. The Electors shall meet in their
respective States and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of
whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves;
they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in
distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of
votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to
the seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of
the Senate; the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate
and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall
then be counted; - The person having the greatest number of votes for
President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole
number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from
the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those
voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately,
by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken
by States, the representation from each State having one vote; a quorum for
this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the
States, and a majority of all the States shall be necessary to a choice. And if
the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of
choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following,
then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in case of the death or
other constitutional disability of the President. 3. The person having the
greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if
such numbers be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no
person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the
Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist
of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole
number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally
ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of
Vice-President of the United States.
This Amendment altered Article 2 Section 1 Part 2 was passed by Congress
on December 9, 1803 and ratified on July 27, 1804. Changed by Amendment XX
XIII - Slavery
Abolished - 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a
punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall
exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this
article by appropriate legislation.
Passed by Congress on January 31, 1865 and ratified on December 6, 1865.
XIV - Citizen rights
not to be abridged - 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States,
and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and
of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which
shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States;
nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without
due process of law; nor to deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal
protection of the laws. 2.
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to
their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State,
excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the
choice of Electors for President and Vice-President of the United States,
Representatives in Congress, the executive and judicial officers of a State, or
the members of the legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male
inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the
United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion,
or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the
proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole
number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State. 3. No person shall be a Senator or
Representative in Congress, or Elector of President and Vice-President, or hold
any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State,
who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer
of the United States, or as a member of any State Legislature, or as an
executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the
United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the
same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote
of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability. 4. The validity of the public debt of the
United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of
pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion,
shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall
assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or
rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation
of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal
and void. 5. The Congress shall have the
power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this
article. Passed by Congress on June 13,
1866 and ratified on July 9, 1868
XV - Race no bar to
voting rights - 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not
be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race,
color, or previous condition of servitude.
2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation. Passed by Congress on February 26, 1869 and ratified
on February 3, 1870.
XVI - Income taxes
authorized -The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes,
from whatever sources derived, without apportionment among the several States,
and without regard to any census or enumeration. Passed by Congress on July 2, 1909 and
ratified on February 3, 1913.[1]
XVII - U.S. Senators
to be elected by direct popular vote - 1. The Senate of the United States shall
be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for
six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State
shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous
branch of the State Legislatures. 2.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the
executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such
vacancies: Provided, That the Legislature of any State may empower the
Executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the
vacancies by election as the Legislature may direct. 3. This amendment shall not be so construed
as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid
as part of the Constitution. Passed by
Congress on May 13, 1912 and ratified on April 8, 1913.[2]
XVIII - Liquor Prohibition
- 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture,
sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof
into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory
subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce
this article by appropriate legislation. 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it
shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the
Legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within
seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the
Congress. Passed by Congress on December
18, 1917 and ratified on January 16, 1919. Changed by Amendment XXI
XIX - Giving
nationwide suffrage to women - 1. The right of citizens of the United States to
vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on
account of sex. 2. Congress shall have
power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. Passed by Congress on June 4, 1919 and
ratified on August 18, 1920.
XX - Terms of the
President and Vice-President - 1. The terms of the President and the
Vice-President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of
Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3rd day of January, of the years in
which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and
the terms of their successors shall then begin. 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once
in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3rd day of January,
unless they shall by law appoint a different day. 3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of
the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the
Vice-President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been
chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President
elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice-President elect shall act as
President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law
provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice-President
shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner
in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act
accordingly until a President or Vice-President shall have qualified. 4. The Congress may by law provide for the
case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of representatives
may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon
them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate
may choose a Vice-President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved
upon them. 5. Sections 1 and 2 shall
take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this
article (October 1933). 6. This article
shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the
Constitution by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within
seven years from the date of its submission. This Amendment altered Article 1 Section 4
Part 2 and Article 2 Section 1 Part 5. This was passed by Congress on March 2,
1932 and ratified on January 23, 1933.
XXI - Repeal of
Amendment XVIII - 1. The Eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of
the United States is hereby repealed. 2.
The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or Possession of
the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation
of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited. 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it
shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in
the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the
date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress. Passed by Congress on February 20, 1933 and
ratified on December 5, 1933.
XXII - Limiting
presidential terms of office - 1. No person shall be elected to the office of
the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of
President, or acted as President, for more that two years of a term to which
some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of
President more than once. 2. But this
Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this
Article was proposed by Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be
holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term the
term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of
President or acting as President during the remainder of such term. 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it
shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the
Legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the
date of its submission to the States by the Congress. Passed by Congress March 21, 1947 and ratified
on February 27, 1951.
XXIII - Presidential
vote for the District of Columbia - 1. The District constituting the seat of
Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as Congress may
direct: 2. A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the
whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District
would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least
populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but
they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and
Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the
District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of
amendment. 3. The Congress shall have
power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. Passed by Congress on June 16, 1960 and ratified
on March 29, 1961.
XXIV - Barring poll
tax in federal elections - 1. The right of citizens of the United States to
vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for
electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in
Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by
reason of failure to pay poll tax or any other tax. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this
article by appropriate legislation. This
Amendment altered Article 1 Section 2 Part 3 and was passed by Congress on
August 27, 1962 and ratified on January 23, 1964.
XXV - Presidential
disability and succession - 1. In case of the removal of the President from
office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become
President. 2. Whenever there is a
vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a
Vice President who shall take the office upon confirmation by a majority vote
of both houses of Congress. 3. Whenever the President transmits to the
President Pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the
powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written
declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the
Vice President as Acting President. 4.
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of
the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide,
transmits to the President Pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable
to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall
immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President. 5. Thereafter, when the President transmits to
the President Pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume
the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of
either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other
body as Congress may by law provide, transmits within four days to the
President Pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to
discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide
the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in
session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter
written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session within twenty-one days
after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both
houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his
office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting
President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his
office. This Amendment altered Article
2 Section 1 Part 5. This was passed by
Congress on July 6, 1965 and ratified on February 10, 1967.
XXVI - Lowering the
voting age to 18 years - The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18
years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United
States or any state on account of age. The
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. This Amendment altered Article 1 Section 9
Part 4. This was passed by Congress on
March 23, 1971 and ratified on June 30, 1971.
XXVII - Congressional
Pay - No law, varying the compensation for services of the Senators and
Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall
have intervened. This Amendment altered
Article 1 Section 3 Part 1 and Article 1 Section 3 Part 2. This was passed by Congress on September 25,
1789 and ratified on May 7, 1992.
[1]The 16th
Amendment was a product of the William Howard Taft Administration. President Taft, in an address to Congress,
proposed a 2% federal income tax on corporations by way of excise duties. The President also proposed, on June 16,
1909, a constitutional amendment to legalize income tax. Less than a month
later the resolution, now known as the Sixteenth Amendment, was passed by the
Sixty-first Republican Congress.
The state
legislatures considered the amendment during the presidential election of 1912
between William Howard Taft (Republican Party), Theodore Roosevelt (Republican
switching to the Progressive Party) and Woodrow Wilson (Democrat Party) who
were advocates of an income tax. Senator Robert LaFollette’s National
Progressive Republican League supported Theodore Roosevelt over Taft. The split
party resulted in Woodrow Wilson being elected and consequently conservatives
often point to his administration for the origination of federal income
tax. The States, independent of Wilson,
ratified the 16th Amendment proclamation on February 25, 1913.
Shortly thereafter, the Revenue Act of 1913 was enacted. This act implemented a federal government tax
that eventually would the balance of power between Washington D.C. and the States.
[2] The States
surrendered a most potent constitutional power when they ratified the 17th
Amendment on April 8, 1913 changing the election of U.S. Senators to the
popular vote. U.S. Senators, after the
ratification of this amendment, were no longer creatures of their state
legislatures as the framers intended.
The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America
Continental Congress of the United Colonies Presidents
Continental Congress of the United Colonies Presidents
Sept. 5, 1774 to July 1, 1776
September 5, 1774
|
October 22, 1774
| |
October 22, 1774
|
October 26, 1774
| |
May 20, 1775
|
May 24, 1775
| |
May 25, 1775
|
July 1, 1776
|
Commander-in-Chief United Colonies & States of America
George Washington: June 15, 1775 - December 23, 1783
Continental Congress of the United States Presidents
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781
July 2, 1776
|
October 29, 1777
| |
November 1, 1777
|
December 9, 1778
| |
December 10, 1778
|
September 28, 1779
| |
September 29, 1779
|
February 28, 1781
|
Presidents of the United States in Congress Assembled
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781
|
July 6, 1781
| |
July 10, 1781
|
Declined Office
| |
July 10, 1781
|
November 4, 1781
| |
November 5, 1781
|
November 3, 1782
| |
November 4, 1782
|
November 2, 1783
| |
November 3, 1783
|
June 3, 1784
| |
November 30, 1784
|
November 22, 1785
| |
November 23, 1785
|
June 5, 1786
| |
June 6, 1786
|
February 1, 1787
| |
February 2, 1787
|
January 21, 1788
| |
January 22, 1788
|
January 21, 1789
|
Presidents of the United States of America
D-Democratic Party, F-Federalist Party, I-Independent, R-Republican Party, R* Republican Party of Jefferson & W-Whig Party
(1789-1797)
|
(1933-1945)
| |
(1865-1869)
| ||
(1797-1801)
|
(1945-1953)
| |
(1869-1877)
| ||
(1801-1809)
|
(1953-1961)
| |
(1877-1881)
| ||
(1809-1817)
|
(1961-1963)
| |
(1881 - 1881)
| ||
(1817-1825)
|
(1963-1969)
| |
(1881-1885)
| ||
(1825-1829)
|
(1969-1974)
| |
(1885-1889)
| ||
(1829-1837)
|
(1973-1974)
| |
(1889-1893)
| ||
(1837-1841)
|
(1977-1981)
| |
(1893-1897)
| ||
(1841-1841)
|
(1981-1989)
| |
(1897-1901)
| ||
(1841-1845)
|
(1989-1993)
| |
(1901-1909)
| ||
(1845-1849)
|
(1993-2001)
| |
(1909-1913)
| ||
(1849-1850)
|
(2001-2009)
| |
(1913-1921)
| ||
(1850-1853)
|
(2009-2017)
| |
(1921-1923)
| ||
(1853-1857)
|
(20017-Present)
| |
(1923-1929)
|
*Confederate States of America
| |
(1857-1861)
| ||
(1929-1933)
| ||
(1861-1865)
|
United Colonies Continental Congress
|
President
|
18th Century Term
|
Age
|
Elizabeth "Betty" Harrison Randolph (1745-1783)
|
09/05/74 – 10/22/74
|
29
| |
Mary Williams Middleton (1741- 1761) Deceased
|
Henry Middleton
|
10/22–26/74
|
n/a
|
Elizabeth "Betty" Harrison Randolph (1745–1783)
|
05/20/ 75 - 05/24/75
|
30
| |
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
|
05/25/75 – 07/01/76
|
28
| |
United States Continental Congress
|
President
|
Term
|
Age
|
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
|
07/02/76 – 10/29/77
|
29
| |
Eleanor Ball Laurens (1731- 1770) Deceased
|
Henry Laurens
|
11/01/77 – 12/09/78
|
n/a
|
Sarah Livingston Jay (1756-1802)
|
12/ 10/78 – 09/28/78
|
21
| |
Martha Huntington (1738/39–1794)
|
09/29/79 – 02/28/81
|
41
| |
United States in Congress Assembled
|
President
|
Term
|
Age
|
Martha Huntington (1738/39–1794)
|
03/01/81 – 07/06/81
|
42
| |
Sarah Armitage McKean (1756-1820)
|
07/10/81 – 11/04/81
|
25
| |
Jane Contee Hanson (1726-1812)
|
11/05/81 - 11/03/82
|
55
| |
Hannah Stockton Boudinot (1736-1808)
|
11/03/82 - 11/02/83
|
46
| |
Sarah Morris Mifflin (1747-1790)
|
11/03/83 - 11/02/84
|
36
| |
Anne Gaskins Pinkard Lee (1738-1796)
|
11/20/84 - 11/19/85
|
46
| |
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
|
11/23/85 – 06/06/86
|
38
| |
Rebecca Call Gorham (1744-1812)
|
06/06/86 - 02/01/87
|
42
| |
Phoebe Bayard St. Clair (1743-1818)
|
02/02/87 - 01/21/88
|
43
| |
Christina Stuart Griffin (1751-1807)
|
01/22/88 - 01/29/89
|
36
|
Constitution of 1787
First Ladies |
President
|
Term
|
Age
|
April 30, 1789 – March 4, 1797
|
57
| ||
March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801
|
52
| ||
Martha Wayles Jefferson Deceased
|
September 6, 1782 (Aged 33)
|
n/a
| |
March 4, 1809 – March 4, 1817
|
40
| ||
March 4, 1817 – March 4, 1825
|
48
| ||
March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829
|
50
| ||
December 22, 1828 (aged 61)
|
n/a
| ||
February 5, 1819 (aged 35)
|
n/a
| ||
March 4, 1841 – April 4, 1841
|
65
| ||
April 4, 1841 – September 10, 1842
|
50
| ||
June 26, 1844 – March 4, 1845
|
23
| ||
March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849
|
41
| ||
March 4, 1849 – July 9, 1850
|
60
| ||
July 9, 1850 – March 4, 1853
|
52
| ||
March 4, 1853 – March 4, 1857
|
46
| ||
n/a
|
n/a
| ||
March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865
|
42
| ||
February 22, 1862 – May 10, 1865
| |||
April 15, 1865 – March 4, 1869
|
54
| ||
March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1877
|
43
| ||
March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1881
|
45
| ||
March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881
|
48
| ||
January 12, 1880 (Aged 43)
|
n/a
| ||
June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889
|
21
| ||
March 4, 1889 – October 25, 1892
|
56
| ||
June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889
|
28
| ||
March 4, 1897 – September 14, 1901
|
49
| ||
September 14, 1901 – March 4, 1909
|
40
| ||
March 4, 1909 – March 4, 1913
|
47
| ||
March 4, 1913 – August 6, 1914
|
52
| ||
December 18, 1915 – March 4, 1921
|
43
| ||
March 4, 1921 – August 2, 1923
|
60
| ||
August 2, 1923 – March 4, 1929
|
44
| ||
March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933
|
54
| ||
March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945
|
48
| ||
April 12, 1945 – January 20, 1953
|
60
| ||
January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961
|
56
| ||
January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963
|
31
| ||
November 22, 1963 – January 20, 1969
|
50
| ||
January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974
|
56
| ||
August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977
|
56
| ||
January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981
|
49
| ||
January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989
|
59
| ||
January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993
|
63
| ||
January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001
|
45
| ||
January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009
|
54
| ||
January 20, 2009 to date
|
45
|
Capitals of the United Colonies and States of America
Philadelphia
|
Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 24, 1774
| |
Philadelphia
|
May 10, 1775 to Dec. 12, 1776
| |
Baltimore
|
Dec. 20, 1776 to Feb. 27, 1777
| |
Philadelphia
|
March 4, 1777 to Sept. 18, 1777
| |
Lancaster
|
September 27, 1777
| |
York
|
Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778
| |
Philadelphia
|
July 2, 1778 to June 21, 1783
| |
Princeton
|
June 30, 1783 to Nov. 4, 1783
| |
Annapolis
|
Nov. 26, 1783 to Aug. 19, 1784
| |
Trenton
|
Nov. 1, 1784 to Dec. 24, 1784
| |
New York City
|
Jan. 11, 1785 to Nov. 13, 1788
| |
New York City
|
October 6, 1788 to March 3,1789
| |
New York City
|
March 3,1789 to August 12, 1790
| |
Philadelphia
|
Dec. 6,1790 to May 14, 1800
| |
Washington DC
|
November 17,1800 to Present
|
Book a primary source exhibit and a professional speaker for your next event by contacting Historic.us today. Our Clients include many Fortune 500 companies, associations, non-profits, colleges, universities, national conventions, PR and advertising agencies. As a leading national exhibitor of primary sources, many of our clients have benefited from our historic displays that are designed to entertain and educate your target audience. Contact us to learn how you can join our "roster" of satisfied clientele today!
Hosted by The New Orleans Jazz Museum and The Louisiana Historical Center
Hosted by The New Orleans Jazz Museum and The Louisiana Historical Center
Historic.us
A Non-profit Corporation
A Non-profit Corporation
Primary Source Exhibits
727-771-1776 | Exhibit Inquiries
202-239-1774 | Office
202-239-0037 | FAX
Dr. Naomi and Stanley Yavneh Klos, Principals
Naomi@Historic.us
Stan@Historic.us
Primary Source exhibits are available for display in your community. The costs range from $1,000 to $35,000 depending on length of time on loan and the rarity of artifacts chosen.
U.S. Dollar Presidential Coin Mr. Klos vs Secretary Paulson - Click Here |
The United Colonies of North America Continental Congress Presidents (1774-1776)
The United States of America Continental Congress Presidents (1776-1781)
The United States of America in Congress Assembled Presidents (1781-1789)
The United States of America Presidents and Commanders-in-Chiefs (1789-Present)
The United States of America Continental Congress Presidents (1776-1781)
The United States of America in Congress Assembled Presidents (1781-1789)
The United States of America Presidents and Commanders-in-Chiefs (1789-Present)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.