Constitution of May 3, 1791

The Polish Lithuanian charter, Europes first modern codified constitution.

Overview

Adopted by the Four Year Sejm on May 3, 1791, the Government Act of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth is regarded as Europes first modern codified national constitution and the second in the world after the United States. It established separation of powers, merged the two nations into one, enfranchised burghers, and placed peasants under state protection, while toleration of all faiths was affirmed. Russia viewed reform as a threat and destroyed the Commonwealth with the partitions of 1793 and 1795. May 3 remains a Polish national holiday celebrating the reform impulse that arrived too late.