The U.S. document that outlines the framework of the federal government is the Constitution, ratified in 1788. It establishes the structure of the government, delineates the powers and responsibilities of its three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—and guarantees certain individual rights through the Bill of Rights. The Constitution is designed to create a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Over the years, it has been amended to address various social and political changes, ensuring its relevance in guiding the governance of the United States.