Is the U.S. Constitution the longest standing constitution?
Asked by: May Kautzer | Last update: February 16, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (33 votes)
Yes, the U.S. Constitution is widely recognized as the world's longest-surviving written national constitution, in continuous use since its ratification in 1788, though it has been amended and adapted over time to remain relevant. While other countries have older foundational documents (like the UK's uncodified system or San Marino's 1600 Statutes), the U.S. Constitution serves as the oldest single, codified framework for a national government still in operation.
Is the U.S. Constitution the shortest or longest written constitution?
The U.S. Constitution has 4,400 words. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world.
Which is the longest constitution in the world?
Answer. The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution, with 146,385 words in its English-language version, whereas the Monaco Constitution is the world's shortest written constitution, with 3,814 words. Answer.
Is the United States constitution the oldest?
The U.S. Constitution is a valuable part of our American history. It was signed on September 17, 1787 by our Founding Fathers, which makes it the OLDEST constitution in the world!
How has the U.S. Constitution lasted so long?
Why has the Constitution survived? The framers of the Constitution established the broad structure of government but also left the system flexible enough to adapt to changing conditions. A document of less than 6,000 words, the Constitution is not overly detailed.
The Constitution, the Articles, and Federalism: Crash Course US History #8
What is the longest standing constitution in history?
The Constitution of San Marino might be the world's oldest active written constitution, since some of its core documents have been in operation since 1600, while the Constitution of the United States is the oldest active codified constitution.
Is God mentioned in the U.S. Constitution?
No, the U.S. Constitution does not explicitly mention God, Jesus, or Christianity; its framework is secular, focusing on governmental structure, though it mentions "religion" in the First Amendment to protect religious freedom and prohibit an established religion. The only divine reference is in the signing date, "in the Year of our Lord," a common phrase of the era, not a theological statement, notes TCU Magazine.
Which is the no. 1 constitution in the world?
The Indian constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation. At its enactment, it had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules. At about 145,000 words, it is the second-longest active constitution—after the Constitution of Alabama—in the world.
Did the founding fathers use the Bible to create the Constitution?
The Founding Fathers didn't base the Constitution directly on the Bible but were significantly influenced by Christian principles and biblical concepts that shaped their understanding of morality, human nature (like sinfulness), and natural law, even while drawing more directly from English common law, Enlightenment thinkers, and historical republics. While the Constitution itself doesn't mention God or the Bible (except for dating), biblical ideas about justice, governance, and individual rights, filtered through Protestantism and Enlightenment thought, provided a moral and conceptual foundation, alongside secular sources.
Why is September 17 so important?
September 17 is important primarily because it's Constitution Day (and Citizenship Day) in the U.S., commemorating the 1787 signing of the U.S. Constitution at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, establishing the framework for American government and principles of democracy and rights, a significant event that has been federally recognized and mandated for educational observance since 2004.
Which is the toughest constitution in the world?
Far from being a badge of honor, the distinction of topping the global charts on constitutional rigidity is cause for alarm. Ancient and virtually impervious to amendment, the United States Constitution has withstood all modern efforts to renovate its outdated architecture on elections, federalism, rights, and beyond.
What are the drawbacks of a long constitution?
Countries with longer constitutions also tend to have lower levels of GDP per capita and higher corruption.
What country has the longest standing constitution?
1. San Marino (October, 1600) The Republic of San Marino is believed to have the oldest surviving Constitution in the world. However, instead of being a single document, the Constitution of San Marino is comprised by a series of six books written in Latin, collectively referred to as the "Statutes of 1600".
Which Amendment gives the right to overthrow the government?
“From the floor of the House of Representatives to Truth Social, my GOP colleagues routinely assert that the Second Amendment is about 'the ability to maintain an armed rebellion against the government if that becomes necessary,' that it was 'designed purposefully to empower the people to be able to resist the force of ...
What is an interesting fact about the U.S. Constitution?
Of the written national constitutions, the U.S. Constitution is the oldest and shortest. At 81, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention and at 26, Jonathon Dayton of New Jersey was the youngest.
Is the U.S. 249 years old?
The United States of America will be 249 years old on July 4, 2025, marking when it was founded, according to the date when the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776.
Which president did not use the Bible to take the oath of office?
Several U.S. Presidents did not use a Bible for their oath, including John Quincy Adams (used a law book), Theodore Roosevelt (used no book at his first swearing-in), and Lyndon B. Johnson (used a Catholic missal), with Calvin Coolidge also noting he didn't use one, adhering to Vermont tradition. The Constitution doesn't require a Bible, allowing for these variations, often signifying a belief in secularism or responding to unique circumstances.
What did Albert Einstein say about Jesus?
Though Jewish, Albert Einstein expressed deep admiration for Jesus Christ, calling him a "luminous figure" whose personality "pulsates in every word" of the Gospels, acknowledging Jesus's historical existence and his profound, "divine" teachings, even if some sayings echoed earlier prophets, while advocating for a purified Christianity stripped of priestly dogma, focusing on Jesus's ethical message for humanity.
Did all 613 laws come from God?
Yes, the 613 mitzvot (commandments) in Judaism are traditionally considered to have been given by God to Moses at Mount Sinai, forming the core of the Torah, though the Bible doesn't explicitly state the number 613; Jewish tradition, particularly Maimonides' work, compiled and enumerated them from the texts of the Torah, with the Ten Commandments serving as a summary of these broader laws. The exact list and interpretation vary, with some laws being ceremonial, moral, or judicial, and not all are applicable today.
Which country has the strongest legal system?
- United Kingdom. #1 in Well-developed legal framework. ...
- Germany. #2 in Well-developed legal framework. ...
- Switzerland. #3 in Well-developed legal framework. ...
- United States. #4 in Well-developed legal framework. ...
- Sweden. #5 in Well-developed legal framework. ...
- Canada. #6 in Well-developed legal framework. ...
- Denmark. ...
- Australia.
What is article 370?
Article 370 was a temporary provision in the Indian Constitution that granted special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), allowing it to have its own constitution, flag, and autonomy in internal matters, while limiting the Indian Parliament's power to areas like defense, foreign affairs, and communications. It established the relationship between the central government and J&K, enabling separate laws on residency, property, and fundamental rights for state residents. In 2019, the Indian government revoked Article 370, ending J&K's special status and reorganizing the region into two Union Territories, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Does Japan have a constitution?
Japan's current constitution was written in 1946 and adopted in 1947, while Japan was under Allied occupation following World War II.
What did Benjamin Franklin say about Jesus?
Benjamin Franklin admired Jesus's moral teachings, calling His system "the best the world ever saw," but had doubts about His divinity, though he didn't dogmatize on the matter, focusing instead on Jesus's ethics of doing good as exemplified in his own 13 virtues, blending classical wisdom with Christian principles for a practical, virtuous life. He valued the actions and morals of Jesus (like humility) over strict dogma, seeing revealed religion as less important than virtuous conduct for societal good.
What do the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 14th Amendments do?
The 4th Amendment protects against unreasonable searches; the 5th guarantees due process, no self-incrimination (pleading the fifth), and prevents double jeopardy; the 6th ensures rights in criminal trials like counsel and speedy trial; the 8th forbids excessive bail/fines and cruel/unusual punishment; and the 14th, via the Due Process Clause, applies these federal protections (including 4, 5, 6, 8) to the states, ensuring equal protection and citizenship rights.
What does article 7 of the US Constitution say?
Article VII of the U.S. Constitution is about the ratification process, stating that nine of the thirteen states needed to approve it through special state conventions for the Constitution to become the law of the land, replacing the Articles of Confederation. It established the conditions for the new government to take effect and included the date the Constitution was signed (September 17, 1787).