Constitutional Amendments 1-10: The Bill of
Rights
"Bill of Rights, first ten amendments to the
Constitution of the United States. The Bill of Rights establishes
basic American civil liberties that the government cannot violate.
The states ratified the Bill of Rights in 1791, three years after the
Constitution was ratified. Originally the Bill of Rights applied only
to the federal government, but in a series of 20th-century cases, the
Supreme Court decided that most of its provisions apply to the
states. Many countries have used the Bill of Rights as a model for
defining civil liberties in their constitutions."
"Bill of Rights," Microsoft
Encarta Online Encyclopedia
1997-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of
the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for
a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to
the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and
bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered
in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war,
but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches
and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but
upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and
particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or
things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a
capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or
indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or
naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of
War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same
offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be
compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor
be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of
law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just
compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall
enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of
the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed,
which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to
be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be
confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process
for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of
Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in
controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury
shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise
reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the
rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor
excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments
inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain
rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained
by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States
by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved
to the States respectively, or to the people.
"The first ten amendments to the Constitution
have been crucial to the political and legal development of the
United States. They accomplished three important purposes. First,
they declare an important ideal—that the people have rights with
which no government may interfere. Placing ideals into the
Constitution makes it harder for tyrants to restrict human rights.
Second, they provide the basis for actually securing the rights. In
1789 statesman Thomas Jefferson wrote James Madison that a bill of
rights “puts into the hands of the judiciary” a “legal check” against
tyranny by the legislature or the executive. Third, the Bill of
Rights, especially the First Amendment, helps protect democratic
government by barring criminal prosecutions against those who
criticize the government and those who hold unpopular beliefs, and by
providing a safe haven for minorities who are oppressed in many other
countries." "Bill of Rights,"
Microsoft Encarta Online
Encyclopedia 1997-2003
Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
The Declaration of
Independence
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men
who signed the Declaration of Independence? Click here to find
out.
The Pledge of
Allegiance
Facts about our Pledge of Allegiance
She's a Grand Ole
Flag
Facts about our flag.
Old
Glory
Do you want to know what days to display our flag and the proper
rules for flying and handling the flag?
Bill of
Rights
The ten amendments and why they are so very important to us
today.
Our Nation's
Presidents
A list of our presidents.
I Have a
Dream
Martin Luther King’s famous speech.
President
Reagan's Remarks at the U.S. Ranger Monument
One of two speeches commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the D-Day
Invasion, this speech was delivered at the site of the U.S. Ranger
Monument at Pointe du Hoc, France, where veterans of the Normandy
Invasion, and others, had assembled for the ceremony.
President Bush's Prayer
Service Speech
September 14, 2001, 2:02 PM EDT
Fourth of July
and Summer Recipes
Patriotic
Poerty
Poems and songs.
Fun Facts and
Other Fun Stuff
All kinds of facts.
Liberty
Lines
Famous quotes about liberty, freedom and patriotism.
