ID: Bill of Rights ## When: December 15, 1791
Who:
- Authored by: James Madison
- Proposed by: The First United States Congress
- Ratified by: The states
What:
The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. They guarantee essential rights and civil liberties to all citizens, including:
- Freedom of Religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition (First Amendment)
- Right to bear arms (Second Amendment)
- Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures (Fourth Amendment)
- Rights of the accused in criminal proceedings (Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Amendments)
- Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people (Tenth Amendment).
Impact? Why Significant?:
- Safeguard of Individual Liberties: Established a foundation for protecting individual rights and freedoms from government intrusion.
- Condition for Ratification: Addressed Anti-Federalist concerns about the potential for tyranny under a strong central government. Their support was crucial for the Constitution’s ratification.
- Enduring Relevance: Remains a cornerstone of American democracy, influencing legal interpretations, social movements, and political discourse to this day.