The Constitution is a fundamental legal document that outlines the framework of a government, specifying the powers and responsibilities of its branches and the rights of its citizens. In the context of the United States, it serves as the supreme law of the land, establishing principles such as separation of powers, checks and balances, and the protection of individual liberties through the Bill of Rights. Ratified in 1788, it has been amended 27 times to address evolving societal needs and values.