We the People: a new exhibit on Constitutional Law is up in the Library lobby.

In May 1787, a Convention was held in Philadelphia to amend the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, the first constitution of the United States of America. A month into the Convention it became clear that that the Articles were going to be rewritten. Based largely on the Virginia Plan, written by James Madison, the new Constitution of the United States was adopted by the Constitutional Convention September 17, 1787, and went into effect after 9 of the 13 states ratified it in March of 1789. The Constitution defines the three branches of government, outlines the powers of each branch, and reserves rights for the individual states. The Constitution defines who is eligible to run for federal office, who is eligible to vote, and how officials are elected. Given the excitement that surrounded the historic 2008 Presidential election, perhaps its time we look at where we started and where we are going. Please enjoy this selection of Constitutional materials from the Special Collections Department of your Fred Parks Law Library.
If you have any questions on this exhibit, would like more information about Special Collections, or would like to know how to donate materials to the Special Collections Department please contact Heather Kushnerick, Special Collections Librarian, at 713-646-1720 or hkushnerick@stcl.edu.