The Ideas
The Preamble is only a single sentence. The beginning and end of this sentence say: "We the People of the United
States ... do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States of
America."
This statement expresses the most
important idea behind our government:
The people of the United States have the
right and the power to govern themselves. They have chosen to place this
power in the hands of a government set
up by the Constitution. The government
depends on the people for its power and
exists to serve them.
The Goals
The ntiddle of the Preamble lists
these six goals for the United States
government:
I. To "form a more perfect Union"-to
allow the states to operate as a single
country, for the benefit of all
2. To "establish Justice" -to
make certain that all citizens are treated fairly
and equally
3. To "insure domestic tranquility" -to
keep peace among the people
4. To "provide for the common defence" -to maintain armed forces to
protect the country and its citizens
from attack
5. To "promote the general Welfare"to ensure, as much as possible, that
citizens will be free from poverty,
hunger, and disease
6. To" secure the Blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our Posterity"-to
guarantee that no American's basic
rights will be taken away, now or in
the future (Posterity means generations not yet born.)
The First Inaugural
G
eorge Washington became the first Pres'
ident of the United States on April 30,
1789. His inaugural, or swearing in, took
place on the balcony of Federal Hall in New
York City, which was then the nation's capital.
A large crowd escorted the new President
from his lodgings while bands played, can'
nons roared, and flags waved from nearly
every house in the city.
As the large, joyful crowd looked on from
the street below, Washington stood proud and
tall on the second·floor balcony. Wearing knee
breeches, an American·made coat, and a cer·
emonial sword, he placed his hand on a Bible
and solemnly took the ooth of office.
Today, each new President takes the same
oath, and the ceremony and celebration of In·
auguration Day are much the same as they
were for Washington.