---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It took us in this country 11 years to…"
description: "\"It took us in this country 11 years to get from the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution.\" — Mitch McConnell"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/mitch-mcconnell-2153_constitution_it-took-us-in-this-country-11-years-to-g_3220303.jpg"
---

#  It took us in this country 11 years to get from the…

![“It took us in this country 11 years to get from the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution.” quote by Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/mitch-mcconnell-2153_constitution_it-took-us-in-this-country-11-years-to-g_3220303.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/mitch-mcconnell-2153_constitution_it-took-us-in-this-country-11-years-to-g_3220303.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/mitch-mcconnell-2153_constitution_it-took-us-in-this-country-11-years-to-g_3220303.jpg)

> “It took us in this country 11 years to get from the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution.”

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

It took 11 years for the United States to move from declaring independence to establishing a constitution.

**In simple terms:** The U.S. took over a decade to create its Constitution after independence.

Key Takeaway

Recognize that nation‑building is a lengthy, complex process.

Themes

politics history process

Mood

analytical thoughtful

Type

historical educational

When to use this quote

- policy making
- civic education
- legislative drafting
- historical research

Key Concepts

constitutional law governance political science

Questions to Reflect On

- What factors slowed the U.S. constitutional process?
- How do modern movements compare to early American nation‑building?

A Different Perspective

The timeline varies across nations; speed isn’t the sole measure of success.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Declaration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/declaration/) [Declaration of independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/declaration-of-independence/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/)

## Related quotes

> [The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Civil War-when I really think about them they all seem about as likely as the parting of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-vowell/the-declaration-of-independence-the-constitution-the-civil-war-when-i/)

[Sarah Vowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-vowell/)

> [The two most important documents affecting the destiny of America are the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. Both these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-o-mckay/the-two-most-important-documents-affecting-the-destiny-of-america-are/)

[David O. McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-o-mckay/)

> [The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of these United States are covenants we have made not only with ourselves, but with all mankind.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-declaration-of-independence-and-the-constitution-of-these-united/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [ \[Joseph Smith\] foresaw the time when the destiny of the nation would be in danger and would hang as by a thread. Thank God… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/joseph-smith-foresaw-the-time-when-the-destiny-of-the-nation-would-be/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [It's no accident that my first novel was called Americana. This was a private declaration of independence, a statement of my intention to use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/it-s-no-accident-that-my-first-novel-was-called-americana-this-was-a/)

[Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/)

> [America was founded on the principle of inalienable rights, not dictated duties. The Declaration of Independence states that every human being has a right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-epstein/america-was-founded-on-the-principle-of-inalienable-rights-not/)

[Alex Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-epstein/)

> [It wouldn't take us long to discover the substance of that dream. It is found in those majestic words of the Declaration of Independence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-wouldn-t-take-us-long-to-discover-the-substance-of-that-dream-it/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I'm going to steal the Declaration of Independence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/i-m-going-to-steal-the-declaration-of-independence/)

[Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/)

> [When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/when-the-architects-of-our-republic-wrote-the-magnificent-words-of/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [The Declaration of Independence has been called, with some justice, the most revolutionary document in human history, in that it placed the individual person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bock/the-declaration-of-independence-has-been-called-with-some-justice-the/)

Alan Bock

> [Whereas, Slavery, throughout its entire existence in the United States is none other than a most barbarous, unprovoked, and unjustifiable War of one portion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/whereas-slavery-throughout-its-entire-existence-in-the-united-states/)

[John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/)

> [Many a revolution started with the actions of a few. Only 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence. A few hanging together can lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/many-a-revolution-started-with-the-actions-of-a-few-only-56-men/)

[Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/)

> [In name we had the Declaration of Independence in 1776; but we gave the lie by our acts to the words of the Declaration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/in-name-we-had-the-declaration-of-independence-in-1776-but-we-gave/)

[Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/)

> [They were not mentioned in the Declaration of Independence, they were absent in the Constitution and they were invisible in the new political democracy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/they-were-not-mentioned-in-the-declaration-of-independence-they-were/)

[Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/)

> [The Declaration of Independence, the words that launched our nation -- 1,300 words. The Bible, the word of God -- 773,000 words. The Tax…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-forbes/the-declaration-of-independence-the-words-that-launched-our-nation-1/)

[Steve Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-forbes/)

## More by Mitch McConnell

> [When you hang the 'bipartisan' tag on something, the perception is that differences have been worked out, and there's a broad agreement that that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/when-you-hang-the-bipartisan-tag-on-something-the-perception-is-that/)

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

> [No matter how unusual a personality may be who gets elected to office, there are constraints in this country. You don't get to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/no-matter-how-unusual-a-personality-may-be-who-gets-elected-to-office/)

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

> [I'm optimistic that none of my members in the end want to be responsible for the status quo on Obamacare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/i-m-optimistic-that-none-of-my-members-in-the-end-want-to-be/)

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

> [America's a land of second opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/america-s-a-land-of-second-opportunities/)

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

> [To call this a recovery is an insult to recoveries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/to-call-this-a-recovery-is-an-insult-to-recoveries/)

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

> [I believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/i-believe-that-marriage-should-be-between-one-man-and-one-woman/)

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

> [I'm really proud of this Supreme Court and the way they've been dealing with the issue of First Amendment political speech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/i-m-really-proud-of-this-supreme-court-and-the-way-they-ve-been/)

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

> [I think it is to the advantage of my state to have the opportunity to come to meetings occasionally and to vote in person,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/i-think-it-is-to-the-advantage-of-my-state-to-have-the-opportunity-to/)

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

> [It is time for a leader who will lead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/it-is-time-for-a-leader-who-will-lead/)

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

> [On the issue of Iraq, it is my hope, and my challenge to my colleagues, that our debate will be based on what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/on-the-issue-of-iraq-it-is-my-hope-and-my-challenge-to-my-colleagues/)

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

> [Eventually, Americans would be stuck with government-run health care whether they like it or not. That's when the worst scenario would take shape, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/eventually-americans-would-be-stuck-with-government-run-health-care/)

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

> [Our nation has a regrettable history of drawing down our forces and readiness after each conflict, only to find ourselve ill-prepared for the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/our-nation-has-a-regrettable-history-of-drawing-down-our-forces-and/)

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

> [As President Obama reminded us, we're all on one team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/as-president-obama-reminded-us-we-re-all-on-one-team/)

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

> [The Frist fairness rule guarantees up-or-down votes for every circuit court or Supreme Court nomination, regardless of which party controls the Senate or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/the-frist-fairness-rule-guarantees-up-or-down-votes-for-every-circuit/)

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

> [I always think a debt ceiling is a good tool to carry something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/i-always-think-a-debt-ceiling-is-a-good-tool-to-carry-something/)

[Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

[Explore all 182 Mitch McConnell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/)

## More Constitution quotes

> [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/)

[Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/)

> [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/)

[Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/)

> [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

> [While not widely reported, our victories in Iraq are plentiful. National elections, a democratic parliament and the drafting of a constitution are just some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gillmor/while-not-widely-reported-our-victories-in-iraq-are-plentiful/)

[Paul Gillmor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gillmor/)

> [In a recent decision of the Supreme Court, not made, however, by the full court, and concurred in by only four justices, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bates-clark/in-a-recent-decision-of-the-supreme-court-not-made-however-by-the/)

[John Bates Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bates-clark/)

> [The judiciary must not take on the coloration of whatever may be popular at the moment. We are guardian of rights, and we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-bird/the-judiciary-must-not-take-on-the-coloration-of-whatever-may-be/)

[Rose Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-bird/)

> [There is not a revolution that succe Women are suffering because they are being excluded. The high military council excluded women from the committee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nawal-el-saadawi/there-is-not-a-revolution-that-succe-women-are-suffering-because-they/)

[Nawal El Saadawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nawal-el-saadawi/)

> [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [“The Court has a special responsibility to ensure that the Constitution works in practice. While education, including the transmission of our civic values from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-breyer/the-court-has-a-special-responsibility-to-ensure-that-the/)

[Stephen Breyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-breyer/)

> [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/)

Joe Pitts

> [Nothing from man's hands, nor law, nor constitution, can be final. Truth alone is final.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-sumner/nothing-from-man-s-hands-nor-law-nor-constitution-can-be-final-truth/)

[Charles Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-sumner/)

> [“I am apprehensive, Sir, that in the warmth of my feelings, I may have uttered expressions, which were too vehement. If such has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/i-am-apprehensive-sir-that-in-the-warmth-of-my-feelings-i-may-have/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [Conservative political opinion in America cleaves to the tradition of the judge as passive interpreter, believing that his absolute loyalty to authoritative law is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/learned-hand/conservative-political-opinion-in-america-cleaves-to-the-tradition-of/)

[Learned Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/learned-hand/)

[Browse all 4,507 Constitution quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It took us in this country 11 years to get from the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Mitch McConnell"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/it-took-us-in-this-country-11-years-to-get-from-the-declaration-of/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Constitution"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/it-took-us-in-this-country-11-years-to-get-from-the-declaration-of/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/mitch-mcconnell-2153_constitution_it-took-us-in-this-country-11-years-to-g_3220303.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/mitch-mcconnell-2153_constitution_it-took-us-in-this-country-11-years-to-g_3220303.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/mitch-mcconnell-2153_constitution_it-took-us-in-this-country-11-years-to-g_3220303.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It took us in this country 11 years to get from the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution.” — Mitch McConnell",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Mitch McConnell",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It took us in this country...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/it-took-us-in-this-country-11-years-to-get-from-the-declaration-of/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/it-took-us-in-this-country-11-years-to-get-from-the-declaration-of/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
