Download The United States Constitution The Constitution stands as a turning

The United States Constitution
The Constitution stands as a turning point in United States history and in world
history. A little over a decade from the adoption of the Declaration of
Independence, and less than 6 years from the formal ratification of the Articles of
Confederation, America needed to take a second look at its frame of government.
On May 14,1787, the Federal Convention met in the State House to review and
revise the Articles of Confederation. However, within a month, the Convention
chose to draft an entirely new document. The result of months of meetings,
debates, drafting and redrafting was the Constitution of the United States of
America, the oldest charter of supreme law in continuous use. The ideas and
principles of law outlined in the Constitution not only created the foundation for
our government, they also influenced other nations as they created national
constitutions. Investigate six drafts of the Constitution at the Historical Society of
Pennsylvania and explore the collections for primary sources related to the creation
and impact of the Constitution.
Recommended Collections:
Collection 721 James Wilson papers, Flat File 1: photocopies of 1 st and 2nd draft of
the Constitution.
KF 4510.U55 1838. United States. Constitutional Convention, Robert Yates, John
Lansing, and Luther Martin. Secret Proceedings and Debates of the Convention
Assembled At Philadelphia, in the 1787, : For the Purpose of Forming the
Constitution of the United States of America. Cincinnati: A. Mygatt, 1838.
Tcb .11. Gerry, Elbridge, et al. Pamphlets On the Constitution of the United
States, Published During Its Discussion By the People, 1787-1788. Brooklyn, NY,
1888.
Tc .23 F241. Farrand, Max. The Framing of the Constitution of the United States.
New Haven: Yale University press, 1913.
Tca 132 R687 1986. Rodell, Fred. 55 Men : The Story of the Constitution : Based
On the Day-by-day Notes of James Madison. 1st pbk. ed. Harrisburg, PA:
Stackpole Books, 1986.
*Also in the collections are the First and Second Drafts (both in James Wilson’s
hand), Edmund Randolph’s copy of the First Printed Draft, Jacob Broom’s copy of
the Second Printed Draft, one of the “official” copies printed for the Constitutional
Convention, and the Pennsylvania Packet printing of the Constitution (the first
public printing of this document). Additional information on the Constitution can
be found in the PC1 card catalog.
Other Sources of Information:
Library Company of Philadelphia – 1314 Locust Street, Philadelphia
www.librarycompany.org
The National Constitution Center – 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia
www.constitutioncenter.org