1. Oldest One Still Running
The U.S. Constitution, drafted in 1787, remains in effect today. It is the oldest written national constitution still active globally.
2. Written In One Sweaty Summer
Believe it or not, it took less than four months for the Founding Fathers to write the entire thing. The Constitutional Convention began in May 1787 in Philadelphia and concluded by September, approximately four months from debate to signature.
3. No Bill of Rights at First
When the Constitution was first signed, it didn’t include the Bill of Rights. Those first ten amendments, which protect rights such as free speech and religion, were added a few years later in 1791.
4. Not everyone signed it
Out of 55 delegates at the Constitutional Convention, only 39 ultimately signed the final document. Some disagreed with parts of it, while others had already gone home.
5. Surprisingly Short
The Constitution is only about 4,500 words long. That is shorter than many modern political speeches or even some college essays!
6. Became Real with Nine States
The Constitution did not take effect right away. It only became law after nine out of the thirteen states voted to ratify it in 1788. (Article VII).
7. George Washington’s one and only
George Washington signed the Constitution, but a fun fact, it’s the only U.S. government document he ever signed.
8. “Pensylvania” is on the parchment
On the engrossed copy, Pennsylvania appears as “Pensylvania” an accepted 18th-century spelling. Do not worry, it was not a typo back then; that was an accepted spelling at the time.
9. Hard To Change
Only 27 amendments have been ratified out of 11,985 proposals as of 2025. Congress has sent 33 to the states in total.
10. A global inspiration
The U.S. Constitution did not just shape America; it inspired many later constitutions as a global model for written frameworks of government.