On this day in 1777, the first Constitution of the United States, the Articles of Confederation, was adopted by the Continental Congress. Our latest rare book video features the first printing of the Articles of Confederation. This item is held by the Rare Book and Special Collections Division of the Library of Congress.
ISSN 2691-6592
Comments (3)
This is such an informative book video, it allows you to listen with subtitles, pause and rewind the last 30 seconds to maximise understanding.
It is interesting to know the precedents set by this first, albeit very flawed, constitution of the United States: the federal courts, the presidential election (though not analogous to the modern executive branch),and the survivability of the document , setting it up for it’s now formidable longevity, durability and endurance embodied in its perpetual binding intent.
Why is this document located at the Library of Congress instead of the National Archives?
Hello. The engrossed copy of the Articles of Confederation is at the National Archives. Please see here: https://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/articles-of-confederation
The item featured in this video is one of the print copies that Francis Bailey printed at his printing press in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.