Pen to Parchment: Quirks about the U.S. Constitution

Quick facts and often forgotten truths about America’s founding document

With the Fourth of July holiday weekend upon us, we’re all thinking about the red, white, and blue fireworks, and the cookouts under a warm and open sky. It’s a time where relatives and neighbors who have become family can get together and celebrate the land of the free and home of the brave.   

We celebrate freedom on the Fourth, but do we really understand the document that defines it, other than what we learned—or even remember—from high school history class? 

Let’s take a look at some quick facts, and forgotten truths, on America’s founding document.  

It Was Originally Written on Parchment 

Not the crisp and clean copy paper you have laying around the house, or even the weathered, yellow paper you see in historical movies. The document was carefully written on real parchment from animal skin, carefully composed with a quill and ink.  

The “Bill of Rights” Wasn’t Part of the Original Document 

Believe it or not, the first 10 amendments we learned in school weren’t always there. Many founding fathers like James Madison didn’t believe it was necessary. But after the states rallied for the rights, they were set in stone, or parchment, in 1791. Sometimes freedom takes a little bit of back-and-forth.  

The Documents Survival is Thanks to Preservation Efforts... and a Bit of Luck 

The Constitution you see today is the Constitution, not a copy. In fact, when British troops stormed Washington D.C. in the War of 1812, the original document was thought to be lost. With quick thinking, it was hidden in a safe and secret place, untouched by our former foes. No longer tucked, it’s preserved in the National Archives in our capital city where you can see 230 years of living history.  

The U.S. Constitution Took Just Four Months to Write 

While the document has been added to and amended since its birth, it only took founding fathers four months to draft the original. Talk about divine inspiration. Not too shabby for the foundation of our nation.  

It Wasn’t America’s First Try at Government 

All good things come with time—and sometimes a draft or two, even for our governing text. The first attempt at an established government were the Articles of Confederation, written after the American Revolution. Wanting to avoid another monarchy, the articles called for a weak central government. That government quickly collapsed, and the delegates went back to the drawing board, where the Constitution was born.  

The Original Document Did Not Outlaw Slavery 

Slavery was not officially abolished until 1865, with the 13^th Amendment—decades after the Constitution was first signed. Technically, the original document allowed the practice to continue, with a few provisions that indirectly referenced slavery. The most notable being the 3/5ths compromise, which counted three out of five enslaved people in a state’s population.  

The Constitution was Amended 27 Times 

The Constitution is a living document. And while it doesn’t breathe or have a pulse, it does mean the text can both be interpreted in different ways and amended over time. But it doesn’t change with the simple stroke of a quill. Two-thirds of both Congressional chambers must approve an amendment, and three-fourths of state legislatures ratify it.  

But the Constitution Can Change Its Mind… Kind Of. 

In the same fashion, amendments technically can’t be removed, but they can be overturned. Take the 18^th amendment, launching the Prohibition era after essentially banning alcohol. 13 years later, the 21^st amendment repealed it, the first (and only) time one amendment has undone the other. Raise a glass to freedom.  

The Preamble Doesn’t Have a Legal Function 

We all know the Preamble to the Constitution, those infamous first words, “We the People.” Arguably, those three words are the most well known of the whole document. Well, that and “I plead the Fifth,” which can come in handy—whether you’re facing an officer or just dodging your spouse’s questions. But other than a symbolic and poetic introduction that outlines our governing laws, the Preamble holds no legal weight.  

George Washington Signed the Constitution, But Not the Declaration of Independence 

We know what you’re thinking—how can one of the most influential figures in American independence not sign the very document declaring it? At the time, George Washington was away leading the Continental Army and couldn’t sign the Declaration of Independence. What can he say? He was outgunned and outmanned, trying to hold the front line.  

Don’t worry, though. As president of the Constitutional Convention, he penned his signature at the bottom of the document in 1787.  

It took Years for the Constitution to be Ratified 

Just because the Constitution only took four months to write doesn’t mean it went into effect right then and there. After it was drafted in 1787, nine of the 13 states had to ratify the text for it to be official. But thanks to intense debate around the document, that process took nearly four years, with Rhode Island being the last state to sign on in 1790.  

The Signatories Were all Different Ages  

While the founding fathers came from a variety of different backgrounds, they also spanned a wide range of ages, and we’re not talking just a few years. Benjamin Franklin was one of the oldest delegates, who was 81 when he signed the Constitution. The youngest? Jonathan Dayton, who signed at just 26 years old.  

Not all Delegates Signed 

Like all things in life, not everyone signed off on the Constitution. George Mason wanted a Bill of Rights, Edmund Randolph didn’t agree with the structure of the presidency, Elbridge Gerry was worried about too much federal power. In the end, 39 out of 55 put pen to parchment. Pretty decent majority, all things considered.

The U.S. Constitution is the Shortest National Constitution 

Even though the document might feel long, it’s quite concise compared to others around the world. Nigeria’s is around 66,000 words and India’s stretches to a staggering 145,000 words.  The U.S. Constitution is just a fraction of that at 7,000 words—short and sweet, but still wildly effective. 

As we gather this Fourth of July to celebrate fireworks, freedom, and family, it’s worth remembering that the liberties we cherish were built on a foundation both fragile and fiercely debated. The U.S. Constitution may be short in length, but it carries centuries of evolving ideals, hard-won amendments, and the voices of generations striving for a more perfect union. It’s more than a historic relic—it’s a living document that continues to shape our rights, our government, and our future. So while we enjoy the barbecues and the bursts of color in the sky, let’s also take a moment to reflect on the words written in ink and animal skin, and the bold vision they still represent. Because understanding where we started helps guide where we’re going. Happy Independence Day.

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About the Author

Chloe Castain is a dynamic writer and content creator who recently earned her degree in journalism from the University of South Carolina. During her time at USC, she honed her reporting and storytelling skills, contributing to both student publications and professional outlets. Chloe has made an impact as a news journalist while also flourishing as a content creator within the high-speed world of NASCAR. Her versatile portfolio spans in-depth reporting, feature writing, and multimedia storytelling. Chloe is also a respected contributor to Palomino County magazine, where her insightful pieces reflect her passion for community-focused storytelling and her evolving voice in contemporary journalism.