Minnesota History Center displays early printing of the Constitution

by Phil Picardi, Minnesota Public Radio

ST. PAUL, Minn. — One of the first printed copies of the U.S. Constitution and an early draft of what would become the Bill of Rights will be on display at the Minnesota History Center starting Tuesday.

The documents were first circulated at a critical and often misunderstood time in our country's history. M.I.T history professor Pauline Maier has written extensively about that time period. Her latest book is "Ratification: the People Debate the Constitution, 1787 to 1788."

Phil Picardi talks with Maier about the early printings of the Constitution and why the document's history is often misunderstood.

Broadcast Dates

• Morning Edition, 04/02/2012, 8:45 a.m.