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THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Amendments 1-10 of the Constitution: Ratified on December 15, 1791
The Conventions of a number of the States having, at the time of 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 insure the beneficent ends of its institution;
Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in
Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following articles be
proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the
United States; all or any of which articles, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures,
to be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution, namely:
The Conventions of a number of the States having, at the time of 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 insure the beneficent ends of its institution;
Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in
Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following articles be
proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the
United States; all or any of which articles, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures,
to be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution, namely:
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.
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.
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
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