The Constitution of the United States was drawn up by the Federal Convention of 1787 to create the system of Federal Government which began to function in America in 1789. Since then twenty-six amendments have been added. The first ten called the Bill of Rights, were adopted in 1791. The 26th Amendment was ratified on July 5, 1971. The document itself is concise and brief; its general statement of principles has made possible the extension of meanings to foster the nation's growth from thirteen states clustered on the Atlantic side of the Allegheny Mountains in the eastern United States to a flourishing nation of fifty states spanning the North American continent and extending into the Pacific. The original document, like the Declaration of Independence, is on public view at the National Archives Building in a case designed to provide the greatest possible protection against decay.