or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is. When these principles are written down into a single or set of legal documents, those documents may be said to comprise a written constitution.
Constitutions concern different levels of organizations, from sovereign states to companies and unincorporated associations.
1639 The "Fundamental Orders", the first written constitution that created a government, is adopted in Connecticut.
1791 The Constitution of May 3 (the first modern constitution in Europe) is proclaimed by the Sejm of Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
1848 Carlo Alberto di Savoia signs the ''Statuto Albertino'' that will later represent the first constitution of the ''Regno d'Italia''
1849 Denmark becomes a constitutional monarchy by the signing of a new constitution.
1905 Czar Nicholas II of Russia grants Russia's first constitution, creating a legislative assembly.
1915 Denmark amends its constitution to allow women's suffrage.
1948 Edvard Beneš resigns as President of Czechoslovakia rather than signing a constitution making his nation a Communist state.
1958 France ratifies a new Constitution of France; the French Fifth Republic is then formed upon the formal adoption of the new constitution on October 4. Guinea rejects the new constitution, voting for independence instead.
1958 France ratifies a new Constitution of France; the French Fifth Republic is then formed upon the formal adoption of the new constitution on October 4. Guinea rejects the new constitution, voting for independence instead.
1962 Newly independent Algeria, by referendum, adopts a Constitution.