Founding Documents

Bill of Rights of the United Kingdom – 1689

Bill of Rights of the United Kingdom – 1689

An Act declareing the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Setleing the Succession of the Crowne. Whereas the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and Comons assembled at Westminster lawfully fully and freely representing all the Estates of the People of this Realme did upon the thirteenth day of February in the yeare of our Lord […]
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa – 1996

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa – 1996

[NOTE – The text below includes all amendments, up to and including the 16th Amendment to the Constitution.] Preamble We, the people of South Africa, Recognise the injustices of our past; Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and Believe that […]
Constitution of the Russian Federation

Constitution of the Russian Federation

Ratified December 12, 1993 Preamble We, the multinational people of the Russian Federation, united by a common destiny on our land, asserting human rights and liberties, civil peace and accord, preserving the historic unity of the state, proceeding from the commonly recognized principles of equality and self-determination of the peoples honoring the memory of our […]
The Constitution of Kenya – 2010

The Constitution of Kenya – 2010

Respective functions and powers of national and county governments.County governments.PREAMBLE We, the people of Kenya— ACKNOWLEDGING the supremacy of the Almighty God of all creation: HONOURING those who heroically struggled to bring freedom and justice to our land: PROUD of our ethnic, cultural and religious diversity, and determined to live in peace and unity as […]
Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia – 2002

Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia – 2002

[NOTE – first adopted August 18, 1945 – superseded 1949-1959 – restored 1959, consolidated, as amended by the First Amendment (19 October 1999), the Second Amendment (18 August 2000), the Third Amendment (9 November 2001) and the Fourth Amendment (11 August 2002).] Preamble Whereas independence is a genuine right of all nations and any form of […]
Constitution of Spain

Constitution of Spain

[NOTE – History of Spanish constitutions: 1808–1814 Napoleonic restructuring from royal edict to bicameral parliament (progressive); 1812 La Pepa The first attempt at decentralization or republicanism (progressive); 1814 La Pepa derogated by (conservative) king; 1834 Absolute monarchy (conservative); 1837 Constitutional monarchy (progressive); 1845 Regency empowerment (conservative); 1856 Failed attempt at democracy (progressive); 1869 Another failed […]
Constitution of France – 1958

Constitution of France – 1958

The Government of the Republic, in accordance with the Constitutional statute of June 3rd 1958, has proposed, The French people have adopted, The President of the Republic hereby promulgates the Constitutional statute worded as follows : PREAMBLE The French people solemnly proclaim their attachment to the Rights of Man and the principles of national sovereignty […]
Constitution Acts of Canada 1867 to 1982

Constitution Acts of Canada 1867 to 1982

CONSTITUTION ACT, 1867 30 & 31 Victoria, c. 3 (U.K.) An Act for the Union of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and the Government thereof; and for Purposes connected therewith (29th March 1867) Whereas the Provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick have expressed their Desire to be federally united into One Dominion under […]
Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany – 1949

Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany – 1949

[Note – as updated through 2010.] Preamble Conscious of their responsibility before God and man, Inspired by the determination to promote world peace as an equal partner in a united Europe, the German people, in the exercise of their constituent power, have adopted this Basic Law. Germans in the Länder of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, […]
Constitution of India

Constitution of India

Constitution is a living document, an instrument which makes the government system work. Its flexibility lies in its amendments. In this edition, the text of the Constitution of India has been brought up-to-date by incorporating therein all amendments made by Parliament up to and including the Constitution (Ninety-fourth Amendment) Act, 2006. The footnotes below the […]
Penn’s Charter of Liberties – April 25, 1682

Penn’s Charter of Liberties – April 25, 1682

To ALL PEOPLE to whom these presents shall come WHEREAS King Charles the second by his Letters, Patents under the Great Seal of England for the Considerations therein mentioned hath been graciously pleased to give and grant unto me William Penn (By the name of William Penn Esq’r son and heir of Sr. William Penn […]
Patent for Providence Plantations – March 14, 1643

Patent for Providence Plantations – March 14, 1643

WHEREAS by an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons, now assembled in Parliament, bearing Date the Second Day of November, Anno Domini 1643, Robert Earl of Warwick, is constituted, and ordained Governor in Chief, and Lord High Admiral of all those Islands and other Plantations inhabited or planted by, or belonging to any His Majesty […]
Ordinances for Virginia; July 24-August 3, 1621

Ordinances for Virginia; July 24-August 3, 1621

An Ordinance and Constitution of the Treasurer, Council, and Company in England, for a Council of State and General Assembly. Dated July 24, 1621 TO all People, to whom these Presents shall come, be seen, or heard, The Treasurer, Council, and Company of Adventurers and Planters for the City of London for the first Colony […]
Notification of the Purchase of Manhattan by the Dutch – November 5, 1626

Notification of the Purchase of Manhattan by the Dutch – November 5, 1626

High and Mighty Lords: Yesterday arrived here the ship the Arms of Amsterdam, which sailed from New Netherland, out of the river Mauritius, on the 23rd September. They report that our people are in good heart and live in peace there; the women also have borne some children there. They have purchased the island Manhattes […]
Grant of the Province of New Hampshire to John Wollaston, Esq., AN. 1635

Grant of the Province of New Hampshire to John Wollaston, Esq., AN. 1635

This Indenture made ye Eighteenth day of Aprill in ye Eleaventh yeare of ye raigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles by ye Grace of God King of England Scottland France & Ireland Defender of the ffaith &c Between ye Councill established at Plymouth in ye County of Devon for ye planting ruleing ordering & governing […]
Grant of the Province of Maine – 1674

Grant of the Province of Maine – 1674

CHARLES the Second by the Grace of God King of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith &c. To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting: Know yee that wee for divers good causes and consideracons have of our especiall grace certaine knowledge and meer motion given and granted and by these presents […]
Grant of the Province of Maine – 1664

Grant of the Province of Maine – 1664

CHARLES the Second by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith &c. to all to whom these presents shall come Greeting Know yee that wee for divers good causes and consideracons us thereunto moving have of our especiall Grace certaine knowledge and meere motion given and granted […]
Grant of the Province of Maine – 1639

Grant of the Province of Maine – 1639

CHARLES by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith, &c To all to whom theise Presents shall come Greeting Whereas Sir Ferdinando Gorges Knight hath been an humble suitor unto us to graunte and confirme unto him and his heires a parte and porcon of the Countrie […]
Grant of Hampshire to Capt. John Mason, 7th of Novemr., 1629

Grant of Hampshire to Capt. John Mason, 7th of Novemr., 1629

This Indenture made ye Seaventh day of Novembr Anno Domini 1629 & in ye Fifth yeeare of ye Reigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles by ye Grace of God King of England Scotland France & Ireland Defender of the ffaith &c Between ye President & Councell of new England on the one partie & Capt […]
Government of Rhode Island – March 16-19, 1641

Government of Rhode Island – March 16-19, 1641

The Generall Court of Election began and held at Portsmouth, from the 16th of March, to the 19th of the same mot, 1641. 1. It was ordered and agreed, before the Election, that an Ingagement by oath should be taken of all the officers of this Body now to be elected, as likewise for the […]
Government of New Haven Colony – October 27/November 6, 1643

Government of New Haven Colony – October 27/November 6, 1643

It was agreed and concluded as a foundamentall order nott to be disputed or questioned hereafter, thatt none shall be admitted to be free burgesses in any of the plantations within this jurisdiction for the future, butt such planters as are members of some or other of the approved churches of New England, nor shall […]