“Unlocking Secrets: 21 Surprising Facts About the U.S. Constitution That Will Change How You See America”

Have you ever pondered how a mere 4,543 words—yes, that’s all it takes (or 7,762 if you’re so inclined to include the amendments)—could reshape a nation and long outlast any complex novel you’ve ever read? Welcome to the wild and often sweaty world of the United States Constitution, where the air was thick with humidity and even thicker with debate as our Founding Fathers huddled in secrecy during the blistering summer of 1787. These guys weren’t just discussing the future of a nation; they were probably wishing for some air conditioning while clad in their wool suits! Did you know that it was thought they were actually drafting a totally different document, only to realize that what they had was far more disastrous than they’d imagined? As we dive into the quirky facts and strange anecdotes surrounding this monumental piece of legislation, prepare to giggle and gasp at the journey that gave birth to the oldest written national constitution still in use—and who knows, you might just find yourself cheering for those poor delegates who were carried in a sedan chair just so they could make it to the convention! So, let’s get started—there’s a lot to cover in the constitutional saga! [LEARN MORE](https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/misconceptions-us-states)

The Constitution of the United States is only 4543 words—7762 if you count the Amendments—and originally fit on just four large sheets of paper. But it packs a wallop. Not only is it the oldest written national constitution in the world, it’s arguably the most influential in the world, too.

1. Making the Constitution was a sweaty, smelly affair.
2. The intent was not to create a new constitution.
3. Some framers wanted to limit the size of the army.
4. Benjamin Franklin had to be carried to the convention.
5. America’s farmers were woefully underrepresented.
6. The Electoral College may have been just as controversial then as it is now.
7. Writing it cost $30.
8. It’s riddled with peculiar spellings.
9. Not every Founder signed it.
10. Rhode Island hated the Constitution so much it almost started a civil war.
11. The First Amendment was originally third.
12. The first national thanksgiving was established largely to thank God for the new Constitution.
13. For decades, it was unclear if the vice president was supposed to succeed the president.
14. The 25th Amendment has been invoked three(ish) times, all due to colonoscopies.
15. The Constitution prohibits states from changing the structure of their government.
16. The 13th Amendment has a controversial clause.
17. You don’t always know how your senator or representative votes.
18. Thanks to the Constitution, you could become a state-sanctioned pirate.
19. Much of the Bill of Rights didn’t apply to the states until the mid-20th century.
20. The Constitution supposedly contains a loophole that could allow a dictatorship to flourish.
21. The chance of an amendment passing is basically zero.

Making the Constitution was a sweaty, smelly affair.