The historic document that begins with the words "We the People" is the Constitution of the United States, which was drafted in 1787 and ratified in 1788. This seminal document established the framework of the U.S. government and affirmed the principles of democracy and the rule of law. It sets forth the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, along with the system of checks and balances meant to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. The Constitution represented a significant evolution in governance and has served as a model for democracies worldwide.