The Top 10 Little-Known Facts About the US Constitution

The United States Constitution is one of the most significant documents in history. It serves as the foundation for the country's government and laws and has been a model for other countries around the world. While many people are familiar with its basic principles, there are several lesser-known facts about the US Constitution that are worth exploring. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top 10 unknown things about the US Constitution.

1. It Was Written in Secret

The drafting of the US Constitution was done in secrecy. In May 1787, delegates from 12 states gathered in Philadelphia to draft a new governing document. They quickly realized that they needed to be able to speak freely without fear of backlash from their constituents. As a result, they closed the doors to the public and the press and swore themselves to secrecy. The only record of the proceedings was the personal notes of some of the delegates.

2. It Was Not the First Attempt at a National Constitution

The United States Constitution was not the first attempt at a national governing document. In fact, the Articles of Confederation, which preceded the Constitution, were the first attempt at a unified government for the colonies. However, the Articles were flawed and proved ineffective at governing the new country. As a result, a new Constitution was drafted to replace them.

3. It Was Based on the Virginia Plan

The Virginia Plan was the blueprint for the US Constitution. It was proposed by James Madison and championed by the Virginia delegation. The plan called for a strong central government with three branches, a bicameral legislature, and proportional representation. Many of the ideas in the Virginia Plan were incorporated into the final Constitution.