Freedom Fact Sheet: The Preamble of the Constitution of the United States of America

The Constitution of the United States was signed on September 17th, 1787. This document establishes the structures of America’s republic and fundamental laws and recognizes certain basic rights our citizens have. 

In this fact sheet, we will define key words in the preamble of the U.S. Constitution look deeper into the meaning of this powerful document. 

BELOW IS A LIST OF KEY WORDS: 

Preamble: a statement at the beginning of a book or talk explaining what it is about 

Constitution: The basic laws and principles that govern a country 

United: joined or closely connected by feelings, common goals, etc. 

Order: for the purpose of doing something 

Union: a group of countries or states with the same government 

Justice: fairness in the way people are treated 

Insure: make certain that something will happen properly 

Domestic: relating to or happening in just America 

Tranquility: pleasantly calm, quiet, and peaceful 

Common Defence: military protection for all public citizens 

General Welfare: the general wellbeing of each citizen 

Secure: to get or achieve something 

Blessings: a good thing you have which improves your life by having it 

Liberty: the freedom to live your life without asking permission or being afraid of a government 

Posterity: your future children, all the people in the future who will be alive after you are dead 

Ordain: formally say that something should happen 

Let’s take a look at the preamble with our key words defined! 

We the People of the United States, in Order (for the purpose of doing something) to form a more perfect Union (a group of countries or states with the same government) , establish Justice (fairness in the way people are treated), insure (make certain that something will happen properly) domestic (relating to or happening in just America) Tranquility (pleasantly calm, quiet, and peaceful), provide for the common defence (military protection for all public citizens), promote the general Welfare (the general wellbeing of each citizen), and secure (to get or achieve something) the Blessings (a good thing you have which improves your life by having it) of Liberty (the freedom to do whatever you want without asking permission or being afraid of a government) to ourselves and our Posterity (your future children, all the people in the future who will be alive after you are dead), do ordain(formally say that something should happen) and establish this Constitution(the basic laws and principles that govern a country) for the United States of America. 

Now let's read the original text! 

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.