ABSTRACT
The constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was written by John Adams, Samuel Adams, and James Bowdoin. Formally accepted in 1780, it is the oldest acknowledged written constitution in continuous effect. Its formal structure was adopted and replicated by the U.S. Constitution. In its original version, Article I was as follows:
Article I
Similar to the U.S. Constitution, “All men are created equal,” the Massachusetts article was originally written as men rather than as people. It was later amended to substitute the word people in place of men and equality under the law was expanded. Article I now reads as follows:
Article I
Without a doubt, I believe it is right to be inclusive of all citizens regardless of sex, race, color, creed, or national origin. In this 21st century we should
all remain vigilant about continuing to be inclusive of all citizens and avoid the mistakes of past centuries, when the rights of some citizens were placed above others.
