Trinfinity EnterprisesFounding documents
Read them for yourself
The full text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and every amendment. Read them here, or download a copy to print and share. Each one also has a free book that explains it in plain English.
The Declaration of Independence
In Congress, July 4, 1776
Free The Declaration of Independence in Plain English
The full text explained line by line, with the story behind it, the case against the king, the signers, and what it means today. 55 pages. No purchase required.
The Articles of Confederation
The nation’s first constitution, before the Constitution of 1787
Free The Articles of Confederation in Plain English
The nation's first constitution, explained article by article: why it was written, what Congress could and couldn't do, why it failed, and what it taught the founders. The full text is in the back. 57 pages. No purchase required.
The Constitution of the United States
Signed September 17, 1787
Free The Constitution of the United States in Plain English
The original seven articles explained clause by clause, with the story of the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, a timeline and the full original text. 88 pages. No purchase required.
The Bill of Rights
Amendments I through X, ratified December 15, 1791
Free The Bill of Rights in Plain English
Each of the first ten amendments in its exact words, then a plain-English explanation, the Supreme Court cases that shaped it, and questions to think about. 48 pages. No purchase required.
Amendments XI through XXVII
The amendments added after the Bill of Rights
Free The Later Amendments in Plain English
Amendments 11 through 27 explained the same way, with the history behind each one, plus the amendments that passed Congress but were never ratified. 68 pages. No purchase required.
Pocket Constitution
The Pocket Constitution in Plain English
The Declaration, the Constitution and all 27 amendments word for word from the National Archives, with a short "In plain English" note beside each part. Sized at 4 x 6 inches to print for a shirt pocket or glove box. 70 pages.
How a Bill Becomes Law in Plain English
The companion guide: how Congress turns an idea into federal law step by step, the terms you hear on the news like cloture and pocket veto, and two real bills followed from start to finish. 62 pages.
The plain-English books are free to download. They explain the text in everyday words and are not legal advice. Where Americans disagree, they lay out the main views and say who holds them. Each book lists its sources in the back.
Text: National Archives transcript of the Declaration of Independence. Public domain. Text of the Constitution and amendments: Constitution of the United States as printed in the House Manual, U.S. Government Publishing Office. Public domain. Some provisions were later changed by amendment. They are printed here as originally written, with original spelling, capitalization and punctuation. Official transcripts are also at the National Archives.
This is a reference library, not a soapbox. Every document is the original public text, and every link goes to an official government source. No opinions, no candidates, no parties.