Are you the type of learner that loves discovering wacky and intriguing tidbits rather than slogging through the usual history lessons? If so, you're in for a treat! Read more to uncover the fascinating and often overlooked fun facts about the Constitution. While history class may have covered the basics, we're here to delve deeper and unveil the hidden gems that make this founding document of the United States a source of endless curiosity. Get ready to explore the Constitution like never before and discover the remarkable origins that have left an indelible mark on the course of our nation's history—through fun facts!
1. Four of the signers of the Constitution were born in Ireland.
2. The only other language used in various parts of the Constitution is Latin.
3. George Washington and James Madison were the only Presidents who signed the Constitution.
4. The word “democracy” does not appear once in the constitution. Neither does “slavery.”
5. The first time the formal term “The United States of America” was used was in the Declaration of Independence.
6. The U.S. Constitution is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world. It contains only 4,400 words.
7. The 18th amendment, which prohibited the manufacture, sale and transportation of alcoholic beverages—also known as prohibition—is the only amendment that has ever been repealed.
1. Although Benjamin Franklin's mind remained active, his body was deteriorating. At 81 years old, he suffered from persistent gout, a bladder stone, and limited mobility, requiring him to be transported to the convention hall in a sedan chair carried by four inmates from Walnut Street jail in Philadelphia. Because of how frail he had become, Benjamin Franklin needed help to sign the Constitution, and as he did, there were tears running down his face.
2. Two of our Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, were unable to attend the Constitutional Convention—they were on a diplomatic mission in Europe—and did not sign the actual document.
3. "Since 1952, the Constitution has been on display in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. Currently, all four pages are displayed behind protective glass framed with titanium. To preserve the parchment’s quality, the cases contain argon gas and are kept at 67 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 40 percent" (Constitutionfacts.com).
4. James Madison holds the record as the sole delegate to attend every meeting of the Constitutional Convention. Not only that, but he took detailed notes of the discussions and the debates that took place during the convention, creating a journal that remained confidential until his passing. The government purchased this historical treasure in 1837 at a price of $30,000 (equivalent to $841,000 today) and finally, in 1840, Madison’s journal was published for the public to read.
5. The “unanimous” election of George Washington as the inaugural president under the Constitution wasn’t as unanimous as you might think. In fact, two electors from Virginia and two electors from Maryland did not vote. Additionally, New York was entitled to eight electoral votes but the state legislature could not decide how these electors would be chosen, so the state of New York officially did not vote for the President. While the electoral vote in 1789 should have totaled 81, only 69 votes were actually cast.
6. Although the United States Treasury Department stopped distributing currency denominations of $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 in 1969, the actual production of these bills effectively halted after World War II. Nevertheless, these notes—featuring James Madison, known as the “Father of the Constitution,” on the $5,000 bill—may still be found in circulation on rare occasions.
1. Of the fifty-five delegates present at the convention, 34 were lawyers, 8 had signed the Declaration of Independence, and almost half were Revolutionary War veterans. The rest of the members represented a more diverse range of professions, including planters, educators, ministers, physicians, financiers, judges, and merchants. Approximately a quarter of these delegates were substantial landowners, and every single one of them held some type of public office, with 39 being former Congressmen and 8 having served as present or past governors.
2. On November 26, 1789, with the intent of expressing gratitude for the newly established constitution, a congressional resolution and a proclamation by President George Washington established the first national Thanksgiving Day.
3. The delegates were involved in debates from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. six days a week with only a 10 day break during the duration of the four month constitutional convention.
4. From 1804 to 1865 there were no amendments added to the Constitution. It wasn’t until the end of the Civil War when the Thirteenth amendment was added to abolish slavery.
5. As evidence of its continued flexibility, the Constitution has been changed seventeen times since 1791!
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