Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, guarantee essential freedoms and protections to American citizens. These amendments were ratified in 1791 and continue to form the foundation of American civil liberties. Click an amendment to learn more:
- 1st Amendment – Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition
- 2nd Amendment – Right to Bear Arms
- 3rd Amendment – Quartering of Soldiers
- 4th Amendment – Search and Seizure
- 5th Amendment – Rights of the Accused
- 6th Amendment – Criminal Trial Rights
- 7th Amendment – Civil Trial Rights
- 8th Amendment – Cruel and Unusual Punishment
- 9th Amendment – Rights Retained by the People
- 10th Amendment – Powers Reserved to the States
Later Amendments
Amendments 11-27 are known as "later amendments" and have been ratified over time. Click an amendment to learn more:
- 11th Amendment – Limits who can sue states
- 12th Amendment – President and vice president elections
- 13th Amendment – Abolishes slavery
- 14th Amendment – Defines citizenship
- 15th Amendment – Voter rights
- 16th Amendment – Income Tax
- 17th Amendment – Allows popular vote for senator
- 18th Amendment – Prohibition on alcohol
- 19th Amendment – Female suffarage
- 20th Amendment – Sets dates for elected terms
- 21th Amendment – Repeals Prohibition
- 22nd Amendment – Sets President term limits
- 23rd Amendment – Voting rights for D.C. citizens
- 24th Amendment – Bans voter taxes
- 25th Amendment – Presidential disability success
- 26th Amendment – Lowers voting age to 18
- 27th Amendment – Limits Congress salary changes