We the People — Jill Lepore on why Americans have got their constitution all wrong

This month, for the first time ever, visitors to the National Archives in Washington DC can view the entire US constitution. The original four pages of parchment that outlined the fledgling government in 1787 have been joined by a rarely seen “fifth page” signed by George Washington that instructed the states how to ratify it, as well as the texts of every successful amendment. The exhibit’s emphasis on the constitution as a living, changing entity stands in contrast to the way many Americans experience their founding documents. Since 1952, the four main pages have sat in helium-filled glass cases that sink into a bomb- and fire-proof vault at night. Since the creation of that shrine-like display in the archives’ rotunda, American lawyers and judges have increasingly treated the constitution like a deity. Liberal judges sought to force progress by deriving new rights from vague language in the document. Now conservative judges — including a 6-3 majority on today’s Supreme Court — are p

This month, for the first time ever, visitors to the National Archives in Washington DC can view the entire US constitution. The original four pages of parchment that outlined the fledgling government in 1787 have been joined by a rarely seen “fifth page” signed by George Washington that instructed the states how to ratify it, as well as the texts of every successful amendment. The exhibit’s emphasis on the constitution as a living, changing entity stands in contrast to the way many Americans experience their founding documents. Since 1952, the four main pages have sat in helium-filled glass c