What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution is recognized as the supreme law of the land because it establishes the framework of government and is the highest legal authority in the United States. This means that all laws, legislative acts, and treaties must align with the principles and provisions outlined in the Constitution. If any law is found to be in conflict with the Constitution, it is rendered invalid. This principle of supremacy helps maintain a consistent legal standard across the country and ensures that individual rights are protected under the law.

The other options, while significant in their own contexts, do not serve as the supreme law. The Declaration of Independence is an important historical document that expressed the colonies' intent to separate from British rule, but it does not create binding legal authority. The Bill of Rights, which constitutes the first ten amendments to the Constitution, outlines specific individual rights but does not serve as a governing framework on its own. The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document for the United States but were ultimately replaced by the Constitution due to their weaknesses in establishing a strong federal government.