This document is a collection of 108 quotations concerning the U.S. Constitution. The quotations are from men who fought for the ratification of the Constitution, U.S. Presidents, U.S. Supreme Court Justices, and leaders of other nations. Some of the quotations are also from U.S. Supreme Court decisions. The sayings are arranged in approximate…

Arranged in three sections, this paper summarizes Congressional action pertaining to the proposed Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) from the bill's introduction in 1969 to its defeat in 1982. Part 1, an introduction, provides a brief overview of the legislative process and explains how to obtain cited publications for further reference. Part 2 includes…

Part 1 of this three-part article traces James Madison's life and focuses primarily on those events that prepared him for leadership in the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787. It describes his early love of learning, education, and public service efforts. Part 2 chronicles Madison's devotion to study and preparation prior to the Constitutional…

Explores the differences between the U.S. Constitution and British constitutional law. Specifically examines the concept of the U.S. Bill of Rights in relation to the United Kingdom common law doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty. (BSR)

Discusses Patrick Henry's and James Madison's opinions on how the U.S. Constitution should be constructed. Describes how Henry introduced a set of substantive objections which were shared by Antifederalists throughout the country and persuaded many Revolutionaries that the Constitution was essentially at odds with the principles of 1776. (BSR)

Students read a fact situation, identify the constitutional issue, find and analyze the portion of the Constitution that treats the issue, and consider the analysis to be an hypothesis that will be supported or will fail when examined in light of reference material, such as Supreme Court case summaries. (RM)

This article identifies six problems that teachers routinely encounter in teaching about the U.S. Constitution and suggests practical ways to overcome them. Among the problems covered are the heavy concept load and difficult reading level. (Author/BSR)

Uses five myths about the Constitution of the United States to help students better understand the basis for and the ratification of this important historical document. Among the myths included are the heart of the Constitution is the Bill of Rights and the Constitution was created by reactionary commercial interests to maintain the status quo.…

Provides a lesson plan designed to help students better understand the concept of a constitution, distinguish constitutional law from statutory law, and recognize examples of constitutional government. (BSR)

Suggests that the United States Constitution contains nearly universal concepts but also ambiguities which trigger conflicts. Describes the evolution of the document through its framing and through controversy surrounding the Alien and Sedition Acts, state nullification of federal action, and secession. Concludes that the Constitution provides a…

With the Bicentennial Bookshelf as a foundation stone, communities will be able to stimulate public discourse on the meaning of constitutionalism in the United States through the use of this guide. Guidelines and model programs are provided for initiating reading and discussion programs, conferences, lectures series, and seminars and institutes.…

The problems of formulating a legal definition of religion as used in the U.S. Constitution may be traced through the Supreme Court's interpretation of the word. According to the U.S. Constitution, religious tests cannot be required for any office or public trust under the central government. The Bill of Rights states that the national government…

In this booklet the content and implications of the First Amendment are analyzed. Historical origins of free speech from ancient Greece to England before the discovery of America, free speech in colonial America, and the Bill of Rights and its meaning for free speech are outlined. The evolution of the First Amendment is described, and the…

Examines four recent Supreme Court decisions. The decisions involve Miranda rights, alleged Fourth Amendment violations (good faith exception and vehicle searches), and the right to confront witnesses. (BSR)

Offers an annotated list of instructional resources (i.e., videos, posters, eudcational kits, journals, and organizations) for teaching and celebrating the bicentennial of the United States Constitution. (DMM)