U.S. Constitution, Annotated
Read the Preamble to the Constitution and the associated annotations.
The Constitution of the United States, Annotated
Commentary is included as an explanation of certain passages.
When the Constitution was written, the nation consisted of 13 states, symbolized by the 13 stars in the nation's first flag.
(The following annotation of the U.S. Constitution is part of the U.S. Department of State publication, About America: The Constitution of the United States of America with Explanatory Notes.)
The following annotation of the United States Constitution reflects the original spelling and usage. Brackets indicate parts that have been changed or set aside by amendments. Additional paragraphs, headed "Commentary" are not part of the Constitution. They explain the meaning of certain passages, or they describe how certain passages have worked in practice.
PREAMBLE:
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.
Source: U.S. Department of State, https://web.archive.org/web/20121022064744/http:/iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/publication/2008/04/20080416203407eaifas0.6335565.html
This work is in the Public Domain.