The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land, outlining the framework of the government and the rights of the citizens. Ratified in 1788, it establishes three branches of government: the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. Each branch has distinct powers and responsibilities to ensure a system of checks and balances. The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, guarantees essential freedoms such as speech, religion, and assembly. The Constitution has been amended 27 times to address changing societal needs and to protect individual rights, reflecting the evolving nature of American democracy.