The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land, establishing a framework for the federal government and guaranteeing the rights of its citizens. Drafted in 1787, it created a system of separated powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, alongside checks and balances to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful. This foundational document, with its Bill of Rights and amendments, serves as a living guide for governance and the protection of individual liberties. It balances the need for a strong central government with the preservation of state autonomy through federalism.