The documents that founded the United States and still shape its government, each with the full text, what it says in plain language, and where to read the original.
Start with the Constitution, the plan of government in force since 1789. The Declaration of Independence explains why the colonies separated in 1776, and the Federalist Papers are the 85 essays that argued for ratifying the Constitution in 1787 and 1788.
The documents
The Constitution
The full text, article by article, and how it works.
The Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments, ratified in 1791.
All 27 Amendments
Every change to the Constitution since 1791.
The Amendment Process
How the Constitution changes, step by step.
The Declaration of Independence
Why the colonies separated, 1776.
The Federalist Papers
85 essays arguing for the Constitution, 1787–1788, each on its own page.
Texts: National Archives transcriptions (Constitution, Declaration) and the Standard Ebooks edition of the Federalist Papers (public domain).