The British Quartering Act and the Third Amendment

John Marshall, as painted by artist James Reid Lambdin.

The Five Nation Confederacy. Engraving from Pere Joseph Francois Lafitau, "Moeurs des sauvages ameriquains." Paris, 1724.

Thomas Jefferson and the Insurrection Act

How the U.S. Constitution Has Changed and Expanded Since 1787

Chief Justice Earl Warren, pictured in 1966.

What is Federalism and Why Did the Founding Fathers Create It?

How the Salem Witch Trials Influenced the U.S. Justice System

Voting Rights Milestones in America: Timeline

Federal Hall, New York City, circa 1789; the first capitol building of the United States.

<p>The U.S. Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, created America’s federal government, established fundamental laws and legal structures while guaranteeing certain basic rights for American citizens.</p>


Native American History

American Indian Movement (AIM) is founded

1968

Women’s History

Hillary Clinton accepts Democratic nomination for president

2016

Sargent and Hutchinson arrive at Horn’s Hook, New York

1776

Rudy Vallée is born

1901

Natural Disasters &amp; Environment

One of the worst earthquakes in modern history destroys Chinese city

1976

Great Depression

Bonus Marchers evicted by U.S. Army

1932

Tazio Nuvolari triumphs over Germans at the Nurburgring

1935

U.S. Constitution

14th Amendment adopted

1868

Hamburg suffers a firestorm

1943

Vietnam War

President Johnson announces more troops to Vietnam

1965

CIA reports minor damage done to North Vietnam’s dikes

1972

Dennis Martinez pitches perfect game

1991

U.S. Presidents

Future first lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy is born

1929

Indian agent James McLaughlin dies

1923

1970s

Grizzly bear is classified as a “threatened” species

1975

The U.S. Constitution established America’s government and guaranteed basic rights for its citizens. Learn more about the Bill of Rights, constitutional amendments and more.

U.S. Constitution: Preamble and Amendments | HISTORY

Home

HISTORY

<p>America’s Founding Fathers decided that one elected civilian—the U.S. president—would lead the executive branch of the federal government, a governmental structure that has remained in place for more than 200 years.</p>


<p>Colonial America was a vast land settled by Spanish, Dutch, French and English immigrants who established colonies such as St. Augustine, Florida; Jamestown, Virginia; and Roanoke in present-day North Carolina.</p>


Colonial America

<p>Sarah Pruitt is a writer and editor based in seacoast New Hampshire. She has been a frequent contributor to History.com since 2005, and is the author of <em>Breaking History: Vanished! </em>(Lyons Press, 2017), which chronicles some of history's most famous disappearances.</p>


Sarah Pruitt

<p><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__msbeckylittle.tumblr.com_&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=bHpC9irXhivtSwyVyKc43lLt4-cAwmmH7TeQLPqTb5E&amp;r=DnM91hJ18gcNL3QDGSFbaxqDKqUNYha-dXU1EFEqguU&amp;m=G-7sCRahZ4NeqUBMRIzpVYF_SWJZdHf6oZ3GZnosXWc&amp;s=zmyoc9Pijw9wmJOCBZEXDORhhj0TxUZKXRRMCwVGaTI&amp;e=">Becky Little</a> is a journalist based in Washington, D.C. Follow her on <a title="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbsky.app%2Fprofile%2Fmsbeckylittle.bsky.social&amp;data=05%7C02%7CAmanda.Onion%40aegm.com%7C2663a56e98de478ecc4108dd65759161%7Cf7288ab1d50847bab3347331cff3374c%7C1%7C0%7C638778277802339990%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=6PAUrlZQy2qoyw95FxhBFEbAAeD6eFd4YU65oI9SW98%3D&amp;reserved=0" href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbsky.app%2Fprofile%2Fmsbeckylittle.bsky.social&amp;data=05%7C02%7CAmanda.Onion%40aegm.com%7C2663a56e98de478ecc4108dd65759161%7Cf7288ab1d50847bab3347331cff3374c%7C1%7C0%7C638778277802339990%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=6PAUrlZQy2qoyw95FxhBFEbAAeD6eFd4YU65oI9SW98%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-outlook-id="cfb94f9b-f0df-4c8f-91fa-a17329b660ca">Bluesky</a>.</p>


Becky Little

<p>Dave <span class="outlook-search-highlight" data-markjs="true">Roos</span> is a journalist and podcaster based in the U.S. and Mexico. He's the co-host of <a title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biblical-time-machine/id1648738323__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!HXBYfsRrBo7N5os-y_lSq05ShV3dCj9JEctYUd9Gok5iCyZHx7Gw2tqSCGiGSqkIqI2JpY9mKkYaNAhA-3WOj0eb3mc$" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biblical-time-machine/id1648738323__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!HXBYfsRrBo7N5os-y_lSq05ShV3dCj9JEctYUd9Gok5iCyZHx7Gw2tqSCGiGSqkIqI2JpY9mKkYaNAhA-3WOj0eb3mc$">Biblical Time Machine</a>, a history podcast, and a writer for the popular podcast <a title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stuff-you-should-know/id278981407__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!HXBYfsRrBo7N5os-y_lSq05ShV3dCj9JEctYUd9Gok5iCyZHx7Gw2tqSCGiGSqkIqI2JpY9mKkYaNAhA-3WORJo2DiQ$" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stuff-you-should-know/id278981407__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!HXBYfsRrBo7N5os-y_lSq05ShV3dCj9JEctYUd9Gok5iCyZHx7Gw2tqSCGiGSqkIqI2JpY9mKkYaNAhA-3WORJo2DiQ$">Stuff You Should Know</a>. Learn more at <a title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.daveroos.com/__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!HXBYfsRrBo7N5os-y_lSq05ShV3dCj9JEctYUd9Gok5iCyZHx7Gw2tqSCGiGSqkIqI2JpY9mKkYaNAhA-3WO_YrhCB4$" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.daveroos.com/__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!HXBYfsRrBo7N5os-y_lSq05ShV3dCj9JEctYUd9Gok5iCyZHx7Gw2tqSCGiGSqkIqI2JpY9mKkYaNAhA-3WO_YrhCB4$">dave<span class="outlook-search-highlight" data-markjs="true">roos</span>.com</a>.</p>


Dave Roos

<p>Lesley Kennedy is a features writer and editor living in Denver. Her work has appeared in national and regional newspapers, magazines and websites.</p>


Lesley Kennedy

<p>Nadra Nittle is a veteran journalist who is currently the education reporter for The 19th. Her writing has appeared in The Guardian, NBC News, The Atlantic, Business Insider and other outlets. She is the author of <em><a title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506488363/bell-hooks-Spiritual-Vision__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!F6j-6vuVRmHQcxqnrZ31fmXlawiTvEaFucRdTp56Vo8Bu8e5UxAnZPfWppdwKtu6HJYF57lKf8tMuAYh39FUHQ$" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506488363/bell-hooks-Spiritual-Vision__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!F6j-6vuVRmHQcxqnrZ31fmXlawiTvEaFucRdTp56Vo8Bu8e5UxAnZPfWppdwKtu6HJYF57lKf8tMuAYh39FUHQ$">bell hooks' Spiritual Vision</a></em> and other books.</p>


Nadra Kareem Nittle

<p>Native American history spans an array of diverse groups and leaders, including Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and Tecumseh, and events like the Trail of Tears, the French and Indian War and the Battle of the Little Bighorn.</p>


<p>From raising families to leading armies, women such as Catherine the Great, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen Amanirenas, Queen Elizabeth I, Susan B. Anthony, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie, Rosalind Franklin and countless others have played a vital role in history.</p>


<p>The years following the American Revolution were challenging for the new nation, which struggled with the Articles of Confederation, Shay's Rebellion, Federalism, the Alien and Sedition Acts and more.</p>


Early U.S.

<p>The U.S. government, with its three branches of government and a system of checks and balances, is responsible for governing the 50 states and all districts and territories of the United States.</p>


U.S. Government and Politics

<p>The Revolutionary War waged by the American colonies against Britain influenced political ideas and revolutions around the globe, as a small fledgling nation won its freedom from the greatest military force of its time.</p>


American Revolution

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">African Americans have played a central role in shaping U.S. history. From slavery and its abolition to the Great Migration, the civil rights movement and military, scientific, cultural and political achievements, explore key moments, milestones and figures in Black History.</div>
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U.S. Constitution ‑ Stories

The 18th‑Century Origins of Recess Appointments

Why Americans Have a Right to Trial by Jury

How the Warren Court Expanded Civil Rights in America

How John Marshall Expanded the Power of the Supreme Court

How the Salem Witch Trials Influenced the American Legal System

Voting Rights Milestones in America: A Timeline

The Native American Government That Helped Inspire the US Constitution

How the US Constitution Has Changed and Expanded Since 1787

Why We Have the Third Amendment—and Why It Rarely Comes Up in Court

Thomas Jefferson Signed the Insurrection Act in 1807 to Foil a Plot by Aaron Burr

How the Founding Fathers Divided Power Between States and Federal Governments

How the 1876 Election Tested the Constitution and Effectively Ended Reconstruction