Oldest Constitutions Still in Force
Eleven constitutions written before 1900 are still in force today. They are found in countries in Europe, Oceania, North America, and South America exhibiting significant variation in terms of population and territorial size. All but three are constitutional monarchies, with four coming from the British Commonwealth of Nations. Four constitutions—in Canada, New Zealand, San Marino, and the United Kingdom—are composed of multiple legal documents rather than a single written constitution. This playlist offers insights into how much they have, or have not, changed over time. (Note: The San Marino Constitution is not yet on Constitute but is being added.)