Preamble to the United States Constitution
The Preamble to the United States Constitution, beginning with the words We the People, is a brief introductory statement of the US Constitution's fundamental purposes and guiding principles. Courts have referred to it as reliable evidence of the Founding Fathers' intentions regarding the Constitution's meaning and what they hoped the Constitution would achieve.
Detail of the official handwritten copy of the Preamble, engrossed by Jacob Shallus
Preamble detail from a Dunlap & Claypoole original printing of the United States Constitution, 1787
"We the People" from the original engrossed constitution has been displayed on the obverse of the United States ten-dollar bill since 2006
A preamble is an introductory and expressionary statement in a document that explains the document's purpose and underlying philosophy. When applied to the opening paragraphs of a statute, it may recite historical facts pertinent to the subject of the statute. It is distinct from the long title or enacting formula of a law.
The preamble to the United Nations Charter
The preamble to the Constitution of India