Month: April 2025

In September 1789, the first federal Congress proposed twelve amendments to the Constitution. Article V of the Constitution requires the approval of three-fourths of the states to adopt an amendment. Within a year of Congress’ …

As we happily enjoy the return of springlike weather, many of us think about planting gardens. At this time, it’s pleasing to remember Jefferson’s fondness for gardening so thoughtfully expressed to his old friend Charles …

After strenuously opposing amendments to the Constitution during the ratification debate, James Madison notified his fellow members of the U.S. House of Representatives on 4 May 1789 that in three weeks he intended to “bring …

Article V of the Constitution outlines the process for proposing and ratifying amendments. Amendments can only be proposed by either a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress or by a constitutional convention, which Congress …

Americans’ experience under British rule made them deeply suspicious of granting tax power to a centralized government. Parliament’s repeated attempts to tax its American colonies without representation had been a driving force in the movement …

Much of the debate over ratifying the Constitution took place in the print media—newspapers, broadsides, pamphlets, and magazines. Many of the articles written by Federalists and Antifederalists appeared anonymously. The frequent use of pseudonyms aided …