It took two centuries and one mediocre grade to ratify the 27th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In 1982, Gregory Watson stumbled upon a 200-year-old proposed amendment, written by James Madison, while researching a paper for his sophomore government class. It read: “No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives […]
zachary elkins
Can you Fit a Constitution on an Index Card?
The answer, apparently, is yes. As of today (Constitution Day), a Google search on “constitution” squeezes the 4,500 word U.S. Constitution on a card at the top of the results (and a 3×5 card at that, at least on my screen). A drop-down menu allows the reader to jump through sections. A number of other […]
Helping Constitutions Endure
Government professor launches Google website at United Nations General Assembly Constitutions are supposed to provide a sustainable structure for politics. Yet only half live more than 19 years. Zachary Elkins, associate professor of government and a leading constitutional scholar, knows what it takes for constitutions to last for generations—and now he’s teaming up with Google […]