Fact of the Day

Benjamin Franklin, at age 81, was the oldest person to sign the Constitution. Jonathan Dayton of New Jersey, at 26, was the youngest.
Source: Annenberg Classroom

Although considered Founding Fathers of the United States, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams did not sign the Constitution. They were serving as U.S. ministers overseas and did not attend the Constitutional Convention.
Source: Annenberg Classroom

The word “democracy” is not used once in the Constitution.
Source: Annenberg Classroom

It wasn’t until the passage of the 17th Amendment, ratified in 1913, that voters were able to directly elect their senators. Before that, senators were selected by the individual state governments, as outlined in Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution.
Source: Annenberg Classroom

Only a very few federal cases, such as Engblom v. Carey (1982), have directly referred to the Third Amendment, which prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner’s consent during peacetime.
Source: Annenberg Classroom

The president can pardon any person who has committed a federal crime, except in cases of impeachment, as outlined in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution.
Source: Annenberg Classroom

The 27th Amendment, preventing members of Congress from granting themselves pay raises during the current session, was introduced in 1789 by James Madison, but not ratified until 1992.

Source: Annenberg Classroom

Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution allows Congress to determine when and how frequently it will meet. With the passage of the 20th Amendment, new sessions of Congress are required to begin at noon January 3 of each year.
Source: Annenberg Classroom

Vermont ratified the Constitution on Jan. 10, 1791, even though it had not yet become a state.
Source: Annenberg Classroom

The percentage and number of children (under 18) without health insurance decreased in 2008. Nearly 10 percent (7.3 million) didn’t have coverage that year, compared with 11.0 percent (8.1 million) without coverage in 2007.

Source: Census Bureau