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Sep 17, 1150
Common Law
Common Law develops in England, which became the basis for fair and constant interpretation of the law in all constitutional systems. It was not written down, but instead was simply understood by the people. -
Sep 17, 1295
Model Parliament
The Parliament called in 1295, known as the Model Parliament and widely regarded as the first representative parliament, included the lower cleray for the first time as well as two knights fromeach county, two burgesses from each botough, and two citizens from each city. -
Mayflower Compact
The compact was drafted to prevent dissent amongst Puritans and non-serparatist Pilgrims who had landed at Plymouth a few day earlier. -
Petition of Right
The petition exhibited to his Majesty byt the Lords spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, concerning divers Rights and Liberties of the Subjects with the King's Majesty's royal answer thereunto in full Parliament. -
New England Confederation
As a result of the Pequot War of 1637, New England settlements were receptive to plans for strengthening colonial defenses against the threat of Indian attacks. -
English Bill of Rights
The Bill creates separation of powers, limits the powers of the king and queen, enhances the democratic election and bolsters freedom of speech. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan of Union was a plan to place the British North American colonies under a more centralized government. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress met in Carpentor's Hall, all the conlonies except Georgia sent delegats. (darn you Georgia) John Green voice -
Second Continental Congress
Times had taken a sharp turn for the wose. Lexington and Concord had changed everything. Now the professional imperial army was attemptin to arrest patriot leaders. -
Declaration of Independence
By issuing the Declaration of Independence adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776 the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation served as a written document that established the functions of the national government of the United States after declared independence from Great Britain. It established a weak central government that mostly, but not entirely, prevented the individual States from conducting their own foreign diplomacy. -
Constitiutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia met between May and September of 1787 to address the problem of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. The United States Constitution that emerged from the convention established a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to conducting relations foreign governments. -
Federalist Papers
The Federalist Papers consist of 85 letters written to newspapers in the late 1780s to urge ratification of the US Constitution. With the Constitution needing approval from 9 of 13 states, the press was inundated with letters about the controversial document. -
Bill of Rights
After the American Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Founding Fathers turn to the composition of the states' and then the Federal Constitution. Although a Bill of Rights to protect the citizens was not initially deemed important, the Constitution's supporters realize it was crucial to achieving ratification. Thanks largely to the efforts of James Madison, the Bill of Rights officially became part of the Constitution in December 1791.
