Beginning with the enduring words, 'We the People of the United States', the US Constitution is the basis of the government and its three distinct branches. So when was it written, and by who?

Mary Sarah Bilder is Founders' Professor of Law at Boston College and finalist for the prestigious George Washington Prize. She joins Don today to take us through the history of this keystone of the history of the United States with cameos from Washington, Madison, Hamilton and Adams to name just a few.

Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Siobhan Dale. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.

Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, James Holland, Mary Beard and more.

Get 50% off your first 3 months with code AMERICANHISTORY. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe

You can take part in our listener survey here.