Supreme Court Nicknamed "Dictator John" "By doing good with his money, a man, as it were, stamps the image of God upon it, and makes it pass, current for the merchandise of heaven.
Edmund Randolph August 10, - September 12, First United States Attorney General Second Secretary of State "The general object was to produce a cure for the evils under which the United States labored; that in tracing these evils to their origins, every man had found it in the turbulence and follies of democracy. Oliver Ellsworth April 29, - November 26, Senator of Connecticut Third Chief Justice of the United States "The powers of congress must be defined, but their means must be adequate to the purposes of their constitution.
It is possible there may be abuses and misapplications; still, it is better to hazard something than to hazard at all. Supreme Court "Government, in my humble opinion, should be formed to secure and to enlarge the exercise of the natural rights of its members; and every government, which has not this in view, as its principal object, is not a government of the legitimate kind. Nathaniel Gorham May 27, - June 11, 14th President of the United States under the Articles of Confederation Helped draft the Massachusetts Constitution "Any person chosen governor, or lieutenant-governor, counsellor, senator, or representative, and accepting the trust, shall before he proceed to execute the duties of his place or office, take, make and subscribe the following declaration, viz.
The United States Constitution was drafted by the Committee of Detail, who used bits and pieces from original Virginia Plan, the decisions of the Constitutional Convention on modifications to that plan, along with other sources including the Articles of Confederation, to produce the first full draft.
From August 6 to September 10, the report of the Committee of Detail was discussed, section-bysection, and clause-by-clause. The most famous copies of this early draft are the ones annotated by President George Washington. This draft of the Constitution displays Washington's handwritten notes in pencil, recording the Convention's handling of each proposed clause.
Once this phase of the Convention had ended, on September 10, a Committee of Style was appointed to "polish up the document. Gouverneur Morris, the delegate from Pennsylvania with a name hard to forget, is credit with writing the Preamble:.
However, for more than years it had been "lost to history," a United States Constitutional legend. In late , the unthinkable happened. On the evening of May 25, , white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kills George Floyd, a Black man, by kneeling on his neck for almost 10 minutes.
The death, recorded by bystanders, touched off what may have been the largest protest movement in U. On the morning of May 25, , six-year-old Etan Patz walked the two blocks from his home to his bus stop in Manhattan. It was his first time walking there alone before school, and the last day his parents would ever see him.
Under invitation by leaders of the English Commonwealth, Charles II, the exiled king of England, lands at Dover, England, to assume the throne and end 11 years of military rule. Swanson, a beer distributor and former U. On May 25, , at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Babe Ruth hits his th home run, a record for career home runs that would stand for almost 40 years.
Ruth went four for four on the day, hitting Sign up now to learn about This Day in History straight from your inbox. On May 25, , President John F. Kennedy announces to Congress his goal of sending an American to the moon by the end of the decade and asks for financial support of an accelerated space program.
He made the task a national priority and a mission in which all Americans would In , the grizzly bear—once the undisputed king of the western wilderness—is given federal protection as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Before the Anglo-Americans began invading their territory, the grizzly bear inhabited most of the country west of the Almost people are killed on May 25, when an American Airlines flight crashes and explodes after losing one engine just after takeoff. John Merryman, a state legislator from Maryland, is arrested for attempting to hinder Union troops from moving from Baltimore to Washington during the Civil War and is held at Fort McHenry by Union military officials.
His attorney immediately sought a writ of habeas corpus so Writer Oscar Wilde is sent to prison after being convicted of sodomy. California See also: Section 2 of Article XVIII If two-thirds of the members of each chamber of the state legislature agree, a question as to whether to call a convention or revise the constitution goes on the state's next general election ballot.
Section 2 of Article XVIII provides several specifics about the procedure that must be used: The legislature must "provide for the convention" within six months of the time that voters approve holding a convention. Delegates to the convention are to be elected on a district-by-district basis. The districts from which the convention delegates are elected must have approximately equal populations.
If the majority vote yes on that question, within 6 months the Legislature shall provide for the convention. Delegates to a constitutional convention shall be voters elected from districts as nearly equal in population as may be practicable. The number of members of the convention shall be twice that of the senate and they shall be elected in the same manner, at the same places, and in the same districts.
The general assembly shall, in the act calling the convention, designate the day, hour and place of its meeting; fix the pay of its members and officers, and provide for the payment of the same, together with the necessary expenses of the convention.
Before proceeding, the members shall take an oath to support the constitution of the United States, and of the state of Colorado, and to faithfully discharge their duties as members of the convention. The qualifications of members shall be the same as of members of the senate; and vacancies occurring shall be filled in the manner provided for filling vacancies in the general assembly.
Said convention shall meet within three months after such election and prepare such revisions, alterations or amendments to the constitution as may be deemed necessary; which shall be submitted to the electors for their ratification or rejection at an election appointed by the convention for that purpose, not less than two nor more than six months after adjournment thereof; and unless so submitted and approved by a majority of the electors voting at the election, no such revision, alteration or amendment shall take effect.
In order to call such a convention, these things must happen: Two-thirds of each legislative chamber must vote for a convention. The legislature is not allowed to do this less than ten years after a prior convention. Any proposed amendments that arise out of a convention are to be put to a statewide vote where, if they are approved by a simple majority of those voting, become part of the state's constitution.
Article XIII provides for an automatic ballot referral to the state's electors of whether to hold a constitutional convention; these questions are to be put before the people at intervals not exceeding every twenty years.
The Connecticut Constitution also lays down some rules for determining how a convention will be conducted, if one is called, in Section 3 of Article XIII Such Convention shall be composed of forty-one delegates, one of whom shall be chosen from each Representative District by the qualified electors thereof, and two of whom shall be chosen from New Castle County, two from Kent County and two from Sussex County by the qualified electors thereof respectively.
The delegates so chosen shall convene at the Capital of the State on the first Tuesday in September next after their election. Every delegate shall receive for his services such compensation as shall be provided by law. A majority of the Convention shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
The Convention shall have power to appoint such officers, employees and assistants as it may deem necessary, and fix their compensation, and provide for the printing of its documents, journals, debates and proceedings. The Convention shall determine the rules of its proceedings, and be the judge of the elections, returns and qualification of its members. Whenever there shall be a vacancy in the office of delegate from any district or county by reason of failure to elect, ineligibility, death, resignation or otherwise, a writ of election to fill such vacancy shall be issued by the Governor, and such vacancy shall be filled by the qualified electors of such district or county.
Florida Main article: Article XI, Florida Constitution Section 4 grants the people the right to put a question on the ballot as to whether a convention shall be called. Section 4 of Article XI also gives some details about how such a convention would operate If a majority voting on the question votes in the affirmative, at the next succeeding general election there shall be elected from each representative district a member of a constitutional convention.
On the twenty-first day following that election, the convention shall sit at the capital, elect officers, adopt rules of procedure, judge the election of its membership, and fix a time and place for its future meetings.
Not later than ninety days before the next succeeding general election, the convention shall cause to be filed with the custodian of state records any revision of this constitution proposed by it. Paragraph IV describes how a convention is to be called, and describes how proposals coming out of such a convention are to be addressed by the state's voters, but says very little about how the convention itself would be governed, setting only one parameter The representation in said convention shall be based on population as near as practicable.
If the legislature does not act to place such a question on the ballot, the question shall go on the ballot as an automatic ballot referral every ten years. Section 2 of Article XVII gives a considerable amount of detail about a convention would be organized and conducted: Election of Delegates If a majority of the ballots cast upon such a question be in the affirmative, delegates to the convention shall be chosen at the next regular election unless the legislature shall provide for the election of delegates at a special election.
Meeting The constitutional convention shall convene not less than five months prior to the next regularly scheduled general election. Organization; Procedure The convention shall determine its own organization and rules of procedure. Ratification; Appropriations The convention shall provide for the time and manner in which the proposed constitutional revision or amendments shall be submitted to a vote of the electorate; provided that each amendment shall be submitted in the form of a question embracing but one subject; and provided further, that each question shall have designated spaces to mark YES or NO on the amendment.
Idaho Main article: Article XX, Idaho Constitution According to Section 3 of Article XX of the Idaho Constitution , a constitutional convention can be called if two-thirds of the members of each house of the legislature vote to place before the people a question as to whether the people want to call a convention, and if a majority of the voters voting at the election vote in favor. Section 3 specifies very little about how such a convention would be organized or governed, saying only Indiana No provisions are available under the Indiana Constitution for calling a constitutional convention.
Iowa Main article: Article X, Iowa Constitution Iowans can hold a constitutional conventions under these conditions: Starting in , a question as to whether to hold a constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the ballot every ten years.
The Iowa General Assembly can also vote to put a constitutional convention question on a statewide ballot at other times. If it is decided that a convention will take place, the Section 3 of Article X says only Kansas Main article: Article 14, Kansas Constitution If two-thirds of the members of each house of the Kansas State Legislature vote in favor, the question "Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the constitution of the state of Kansas?
Section 2 of Article 14 goes into a fair amount of detail about the specifics of calling and organizing such a convention Kentucky Main article: Mode of Revision, Kentucky Constitution A constitutional convention can be called in Kentucky if: A majority of all the members of each of the two chambers of the Kentucky State Legislature agree to place a question before the state's voters about whether to have a constitutional convention.
In the next session of the legislature, a majority of the members again agree to place this question before the state's voters.
A majority of those voting on the question say "yes" and if the number of voters voting "yes" is "equal to one-fourth of the number of qualified voters who voted at the last preceding general election. Text of Section Number and qualifications of delegates The Convention shall consist of as many delegates as there are members of the House of Representatives; and the delegates shall have the same qualifications and be elected from the same districts as said Representatives.
Text of Section Election of delegates -- meeting. Louisiana Main article: Article XIII, Louisiana Constitution Two-thirds of the members of both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature can call for a constitutional convention , and the state legislature can also directly call a convention without having to submit the question of whether or not to hold one to the state's voters.
Maryland Main article: Article XIV, Maryland Constitution Section 2 of Article 14 says that an automatic ballot referral to ask the voters of the state whether they wish to convene a statewide constitutional convention must be placed on the statewide ballot every twenty years starting in The Maryland Constitution also provides some guidance about organizational details of any such convention that might be called Convention officers, rules, membership, personnel, publications.
Section 2 of Article IX provides some detail about how to organize the convention: If a majority of all the electors voting at the election vote for a convention, the legislature at its next session, shall provide by law for calling the convention.
Missouri See also: Article XII, Missouri Constitution Section 3a of Article XII says that a question about whether to hold a constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every twenty years. Section 3a also includes a fairly detailed scenario for how delegates to the convention are to be selected Section 3b includes even more detail: Text of Section 3 b : Convention of Delegates—-Quarters—-Oath—-Compensation—-Quorum—-Vote Required-—Organization, Employees, Printing—-Public Sessions—-Rules—-Vacancies The delegates so elected shall be convened at the seat of government by proclamation of the governor within six months after their election.
Section 2, Article XIV says that the state's electors can put a question about whether to hold a convention on a statewide ballot if a petition is signed by at least ten percent of the qualified electors of the state, including at least ten percent of the qualified electors in each of two-fifths of the legislative districts.
Section 3, Article XIV says that a question about whether to hold a convention shall automatically go on the ballot every twenty years if it has not otherwise appeared on the ballot.
Section 4 of Article XIV says: Text of Section 4: Call of Convention If a majority of those voting on the question answer in the affirmative, the legislature shall provide for the calling thereof at its next session.
Section 5 of Article XIV says: Text of Section 5: Convention Expenses The legislature shall, in the act calling the convention, designate the day, hour, and place of its meeting, and fix and provide for the pay of its members and officers and the necessary expenses of the convention.
And Section 7 of Article XIV says: Text of Section 7: Convention Duties The convention shall meet after the election of the delegates and prepare such revisions, alterations, or amendments to the constitution as may be deemed necessary. The state's constitution gives some guidance on how such a convention would be called and governed, in Section 2 of Article XVI If two-thirds of the Nevada State Legislature votes in favor, a question about whether to hold a constitutional convention goes on a statewide ballot.
That election must be held at the same time as an election is being held for members of the state legislature that is, a constitutional convention question can't go on a special election ballot.
A majority vote -- but not a simple majority vote -- of the statewide electorate is required to generate a convention: "In determining what is a majority of the electors voting at such election, reference shall be had to the highest number of votes cast at such election for the candidates for any office or on any question. New Hampshire See also: Article of the New Hampshire Constitution Article says that a constitutional convention question can go on the ballot in two different ways: Through a majority vote of both houses of the New Hampshire General Court.
A question about whether to have a convention also goes on the ballot automatically every ten years. In each case, the wording of the question is, "Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the constitution? Article also provides some detail on how a convention must be organized and conducted: b Section 2 of Article XIX also specifies a number of other details as to how a convention would be handled A majority of those voting affirm the idea of having a convention.
Section 1 of Article III gives no detail at all about how a convention would be called or governed, except to note Every twenty years, starting in , the question "Shall there be a convention to revise, alter, or amend the constitution[,]" is to automatically appear on the state's ballot.
This year cycle is invariant regardless of whether the state legislature also votes to put a similar question on the ballot from time to time. Section 2 of Article XVI provides these details Section 2 says that if a convention is held Oregon See also: Article XVII, Oregon Constitution Section 1 of Article XVIII addresses how a constitutional convention can be held but only in the negative by saying "No convention shall be called to amend or propose amendments to this Constitution, or to propose a new Constitution, unless the law providing for such convention shall first be approved by the people on a referendum vote at a regular general election.
Pennsylvania Main article: Article XI, Pennsylvania Constitution Regarding constitutional conventions , the state legislature appears to take as a matter of tradition, rather than explicit constitutional direction, that it can vote to put a constitutional convention question on the ballot. If the question hasn't appeared on the ballot at any time in a given ten-year period, the Rhode Island Secretary of State must place it on the ballot as an automatic ballot referral.
If the state's voters by a simple majority vote to hold a convention, then a convention shall be held. Section 2 of Article 14 goes on South Carolina Main article: Article XVI, South Carolina Constitution Two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the General Assembly must vote in favor of putting a question about whether to hold a convention on a statewide ballot.
Section 3 of Article XVI says: Whenever two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the General Assembly shall think it necessary to call a Convention to revise, amend or change this Constitution, they shall recommend to the electors to vote for or against a Convention at the next election for Representatives; and if a majority of all the electors voting at said election shall have voted for a Convention, the General Assembly shall, at its next session, provide by law for calling the same; and such Convention shall consist of a number of members equal to that of the most numerous branch of the General Assembly.
Conventions can also be "initiated and submitted to the voters in the same manner as an amendment" by collecting signatures on petitions and putting the question about whether to have a convention to a vote of the state's electors.
The Legislature can submit to the people at any general election "the question of calling a convention to alter, reform, or abolish" the constitution or any parts of it. If a majority of all the voters voting upon the convention question approve the proposal, a convention then is called. The state cannot hold a convention "oftener than once in six years. Texas Article 17, Texas Constitution The Texas Constitution is one of six state constitutions that do not explicitly make provisions for holding any state constitutional conventions.
Utah Main article: Article XXIII, Utah Constitution To have a constitutional convention in Utah : A ballot question about whether to hold a convention can go on the ballot if two-thirds of the members of the state legislature vote to put it on the ballot.
Votes on whether to hold conventions must go on a general election ballot. Vermont Main article: Amendment of the Constitution, Vermont Constitution The Vermont Constitution , like that of several other states , does not provide for constitutional conventions. Section 2 says: The General Assembly may, by a vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house, call a convention to propose a general revision of, or specific amendments to, this Constitution, as the General Assembly in its call may stipulate.
Washington Article XXIII, Washington State Constitution Whenever two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the legislature shall deem it necessary to call a convention to revise or amend this Constitution, they shall recommend to the electors to vote at the next general election, for or against a convention, and if a majority of all the electors voting at said election shall have voted for a convention, the legislature shall at the next session, provide by law for calling the same; and such convention shall consist of a number of members, not less than that of the most numerous branch of the legislature.
And all acts and ordinances of the said convention shall be submitted to the voters of the State for ratification or rejection, and shall have no validity whatever until they are ratified Wisconsin See also: Article XII, Wisconsin Constitution Section 2 of Article XII says: If at any time a majority of the senate and assembly shall deem it necessary to call a convention to revise or change this constitution, they shall recommend to the electors to vote for or against a convention at the next election for members of the legislature.
Wyoming Main article: Article 20, Wyoming Constitution Section 3 of Article 20 says: Whenever two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the legislature shall deem it necessary to call a convention to revise or amend this constitution, they shall recommend to the electors to vote at the next general election for or against a convention, and if a majority of all the electors voting at such election shall have voted for a convention, the legislature shall at the next session provide by law for calling the same; and such convention shall consist of a number of members, not less than double that of the most numerous branch of the legislature.
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Constitutional conventions. Automatic ballot referrals. Election of Delegates If a majority of the ballots cast upon such a question be in the affirmative, delegates to the convention shall be chosen at the next regular election unless the legislature shall provide for the election of delegates at a special election.
Text of Section 3 b : Convention of Delegates—-Quarters—-Oath—-Compensation—-Quorum—-Vote Required-—Organization, Employees, Printing—-Public Sessions—-Rules—-Vacancies The delegates so elected shall be convened at the seat of government by proclamation of the governor within six months after their election.
Text of Section 4: Call of Convention If a majority of those voting on the question answer in the affirmative, the legislature shall provide for the calling thereof at its next session. Text of Section 5: Convention Expenses The legislature shall, in the act calling the convention, designate the day, hour, and place of its meeting, and fix and provide for the pay of its members and officers and the necessary expenses of the convention.
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