Done in Convention by the unanimous consent of the States present, September 17, 1787. Ratified by the required nine states in 1788 and in effect since 1789. The text is transcribed from the original parchment held at the National Archives.
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 defence, 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.The Seven Articles
Article I: The Legislature
Establishes Congress: the House, the Senate, and their powers.
Article II: The Executive
Establishes the Presidency, elections, and executive powers.
Article III: The Judiciary
Establishes the Supreme Court and defines treason.
Article IV: The States
Relations among states, new states, and federal guarantees.
Article V: Amendment
The process for amending the Constitution.
Article VI: Supremacy
Debts, the Supremacy Clause, and oaths of office.
Article VII: Ratification
The requirement of nine states for ratification.
The Bill of Rights & Amendments
All 27 amendments, beginning with the Bill of Rights (1791).