What are the first three words of the Constitution?

The correct answer is "We the people" because these are indeed the first three words of the United States Constitution. This phrase establishes the foundation of the Constitution by emphasizing that the power and authority of the government comes from the people themselves. It reflects the democratic principles that underpin the nation and signifies a commitment to a government that is accountable to its citizens. The phrase has become iconic, symbolizing unity and the collective nature of governance in the United States.

The other options do not accurately reflect the text of the Constitution. "We the citizens" alters the wording and shifts the focus, "We the government" misrepresents the Constitution's message of popular sovereignty, and "We the states" suggests a focus on state powers rather than the collective body of the people as a whole. Thus, the significance of "We the people" lies in its embodiment of the foundational democratic ideals of the country.