Signing of the Constitution
The scene at the signing of the Constitution oil painting by Howard Chandler Christy, 1940.
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. --Preamble - U.S. Constitution
Timeline and Overview
See the timeline and general history of how the U.S. Constitution was formed.
Founding Fathers
- Founders OnlineOver 183,000 searchable documents available, examine correspondences and other writings of six major individuals that shaped the United States.
- Meet the Framers of the ConstitutionFind out who are the framers of the Constitution, who attended the Constitutional Convention Sessions, and the 39 who signed the Constitution.
Articles of Confederation
- Articles of Confederation: Primary Documents in American HistoryRatified on March 1, 1781, the Articles of Confederation served as the United States' first constitution. This guide provides access to digital materials at the Library of Congress, links to related external websites, and a selected print bibliography.
- Articles of ConfederationSee images of the Articles of Confederation as well as a transcript of the document.
Constitutional Convention
- Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, 1774 to 1789Contains 277 documents relating to the work of Congress and the drafting and ratification of the Constitution. Items include extracts of the journals of Congress, resolutions, proclamations, committee reports, treaties, and early printed versions of the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
- Constitutional ConventionAn exhibit which provides a guide to understanding the Constitutional Convention; tips on navigating the various sections and Gordon Lloyd’s introduction can be found.