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Articles 3 through 12, which three-fourths of the states ratified on December 15, 1791, constitute the first 10 amendments to the Constitution and are known as the Bill of Rights. The original second article, concerning the compensation of members of Congress, finally became law on May 7, 1992. The National Archives preserves and provides access to the records of the Federal Government. Here is a sample of these records, from our most celebrated milestones to little-known surprises . At the National Constitution Center, you will find rare copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These are the three most important documents in American history. But why are they important, and what are their similarities and differences? Visit the Charters of Freedom The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom Located on the upper level of the National Archives, the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom is the permanent home of the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights. See the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Located in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building, the Founding Documents - known as the Charters of Freedom - establish the principles of the United States and have inspired the American people to pursue a more perfect union for almost 250 years. The Constitution acted like a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. Under America’s first national government, the Articles of Confederation, the states acted together only for specific purposes. The Constitution united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the people. Without it, the American Experiment might The Declaration of Independence states the principles on which our government, and our identity as Americans, are based. Unlike the other founding documents, the Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, but it is powerful. The ratified Articles (Articles 3–12) constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, or the U.S. Bill of Rights. In 1992, 203 years after it was proposed, Article 2 was ratified as the 27th Amendment to the Constitution. About the National Archives Building in Washington, DC The National Archives Building, known informally as Archives I, is the headquarters of the National Archives and Records Administration of the United States. The building houses the original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights as well as many other important historical documents. The building The Constitution might never have been ratified if the framers hadn't promised to add a Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments to the Constitution gave citizens more confidence in the new government and contain many of today's Americans' most valued freedoms. Encounter the original founding documents of the United States in the National Archives Rotunda, the permanent home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights. The museum wing of the National Archives, the National Archives Museum is the home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Located at 701 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20408. Admission is always free. In April 1952 Congress ordered the Library of Congress to transfer the Declaration of Independence and Constitution to the National Archives. The two documents were to go on public display in the N The National Archives is the keeper of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. But we also hold in trust for the public the records of ordinary citizens—for example, military records of the brave men and women who have fought for our Read More. These and other rights of the American people are secured by this nation's founding documents: the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Known collectively as the Charters of Freedom, these three documents are on permanent display in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building. The Charters of Freedom, consisting of six parchment engrossed pages--the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution (four pages), and the Bill of Rights, are the founding documents of our democracy. Declaration of Independence: A Transcription Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.) The spelling and punctuation reflects the original. The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, located on the upper level of the National Archives Museum, is the permanent home of the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights. High-Resolution Declaration Image (1.43 MB) This image is of the actual Declaration of Independence parchment. These images are in the public domain and no permission is required to use them. Please credit the National Archives as the original source. The rotunda at the National Archives where the Charters of Freedom are housed. NPS Photo The Chain of Custody: Before the National Archives Prior to their move to the National Archives in 1952, the US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights, collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom, were controlled by the State Department. The documents were displayed at the
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