History of Constitution in Timeline
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles and precedents that establish the legal basis of a polity, organization, or entity. It outlines the governance framework and defines how the entity operates and makes decisions. Constitutions serve as the supreme law, guiding the actions of those in power and protecting the rights of individuals.
1900: Sachsenspiegel's Enduring Legal Influence
The Sachsenspiegel, a legal code compiled by Eike von Repgow between 1220 and 1230, remained influential in parts of Germany until 1900.
1931: Modern Constitution in Ethiopia
Emperor Haile Selassie I granted Ethiopia its first modern-style constitution in 1931, replacing the Fetha Negest, a centuries-old law code.
1938: Romania's Constitution and Royal Dictatorship
Romania's 1938 constitution, which established a royal dictatorship, holds the record for the fastest drafting, adoption, and ratification process, completed in under a month.
1942: Australia Adopts the Statute of Westminster
In 1942, the Commonwealth of Australia adopted the Statute of Westminster through the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act, contributing to the uncodified nature of Australia's constitution.
1946: Japan's Post-War Constitution
Japan's 1946 Constitution was drafted by bureaucrats in just one week, making it the oldest unamended constitution globally.
1949: Revision of the Swiss Federal Constitution
The Swiss Federal Constitution, which first came into effect in September 1848, underwent official revisions in 1949, along with other years.
1950: Establishment of the Basic Laws of Israel
The Basic Laws of Israel, established in 1950, were intended to form the groundwork for a future constitution.
1971: Revision of the Swiss Federal Constitution
The Swiss Federal Constitution, first enacted in September 1848, experienced formal revisions in 1971, among other years.
1982: Revision of the Swiss Federal Constitution
The Swiss Federal Constitution, originally implemented in September 1848, went through official revisions in 1982, in addition to other years.
1982: Canada Act and Constitutional Severance
The Canada Act of 1982 formally ended the British Parliament's authority to amend the Canadian constitution.
1982: Patriation of the British North America Act
Originally a British Act, the British North America Act was transferred to the Canadian Parliament and expanded to include the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982.
1986: Australia Act and Uncodified Constitution
The Australia Act of 1986 further solidified the uncodified nature of Australia's constitution, which relies on multiple documents and conventions.
1988: Reconstruction of the Kouroukan Founga
Siriman Kouyaté reconstructed the Kouroukan Founga, a 13th-century charter of the Mali Empire, in 1988, based on oral tradition.
1999: Revision of the Swiss Federal Constitution
Established in September 1848, the Swiss Federal Constitution saw official updates in 1999, alongside revisions in other years.
2008: Myanmar Constitution Drafting
The 2008 Myanmar Constitution was drafted secretly for over 17 years.
2009: Study on Constitutional Drafting Time
In 2009, a study revealed that the average time to draft a constitution is about 16 months.
2011: UK Fixed-term Parliaments Act
The UK Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, passed with a simple majority, mandated fixed-term parliaments, a change that would typically require a constitutional amendment in most nations.
2017: Uncodified Constitutions and Basic Laws
As of 2017, New Zealand and the United Kingdom were the only sovereign states with fully uncodified constitutions. Although intended as a basis for a constitution since 1950, the Basic Laws of Israel remained undrafted as of 2017.
2050: Code of Ur-Nammu
Around 2050 BC, the Code of Ur-Nammu, the oldest known written law code, emerged in Ur.