Laws may pursue form over function. Case in point is the fact that some states even have adopted state cats (although an examination of state symbol law reveals that many states have adopted a litany of âstate symbols,â including dance, food, insect, and drink). For example, the official Maine cat is, of course, the Maine coon cat. 1 M.R.S.A. Â§ 217.
The Constitution of the United States established Americaâs national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens. It was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
Government 101: The Constitution. A summary of the Constitution of the United States of America. The U.S. Constitution, written in 1787 and ratified in 1788, outlines the structure of Americaâs federal government. It also guarantees the states and people certain rights. The text of the Constitution is contained within seven Articles and twentyÂ­seven Amendments. For more background information on the Constitution, click here. A) Articles 1Â­-3: Branches, Checks, and Balances.