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United States History

Listen to the Constitution

Constitutional Interpretation & Current Issues

Constitutional issues have been debated continually since the Constitutional Convention. Constitutional law still is subject to interpretation today, whether it be through debates on gun control, freedom of speech, immigration, gay marriage, and more.

Constitution Resources on the Web

  • Interactive Constitution The full text of the US Constitution, as well as the ability to search the text, explore by topic, and search the text by Supreme Court decisions.

  • Delegates to the Constitutional Convention This site from the National Archives gives brief biographies for each of the delegates to the Continental Convention, as well as a biographical overview of all the delegates.

  • Bill of Rights This website from the National Archives talks about the first 10 amendments to the Constitution.

  • Founders' Constitution This site consists of extracts from the leading works of political theory, history, law, and constitutional argument on which the Framers and their contemporaries drew and which they themselves produced.

  • Madison and the Constitution This lecture by a professor at Stanford University explores James Madison's background, his ideas about democracy, and his legacy as Father of the Constitution.

  • Preparing For The Oath: U.S. History And Civics For Citizenship The Smithsonian Institute and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services teamed up in the development of this site, which serves as an interactive learning tool supporting those who seek U.S. citizenship to prepare for the civics portion of the naturalization test. It is a great place for anyone who wishes to gain (and test!) personal knowledge and understanding of American History and the Constitution.

About this page ...

Most of the Web resources referenced, as well as related annotations, originated from the Constitution Day and Voter Registration Guide created by Julia G. Patton, MLS, Public Services Librarian at the Storms Research Center of Valley Forge Christian College, who graciously extended permission for their incorporation into this page.