Constitution Day: The Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights

The Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.--Preamble to the Bill of Rights

The Constitution might never have been ratified if the framers hadn't promised to add a Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments to the Constitution gave citizens more confidence in the new government and contain many of today's Americans most valued freedoms. 

Read an Article About the Bill of Rights

"A More Perfect Union" provides an in-depth look at the Constitutional Convention, the ratification  process, and the adoption of the Bill of rights

More Constitutional Amendments

"Discover the other changes and additions that have been made to the Constitution over the past 200+ years."

The information on this page was obtained from the National Archives website.

What Does it Say?

The meaning of the document

How Did it Happen?

The history of the document

How Was it Made?

The creation of the parchment document

Where can I learn about the Bill of Rights?

More Constitutional Amendments

Read a Transcript

The Bill of Rights Transcript