Today in 1787, the language of Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution, known as the Copyright Clause, was proposed to the Constitutional Convention. It empowers the United States Congress To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.

On September 17, 1787, the members of the Convention unanimously agreed to the proposed language, without debate, and this language was incorporated into the Constitution.