Dec 15, 2019
Image: Bill of Rights word cloud - clipartpanda.com
Today, according to nationaldaycalendar.com, we celebrate the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution which make up the Bill of Rights. Passed by Congress on September 25, 1789, these rights place limits on government power.
Did you know?
The bill was introduced by James Madison. He later became the 4th President of the United States.
The Bill of Rights initially had 12 proposed amendments. One concerned the number of constituents for each Representative. The other addressed compensation of Congressman. Neither were ratified.
In 1992, compensation of Congressman was ratified 203 years later and is now the 27th amendment.
The Bill of Rights is displayed in The Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC.
There were 14 copies of the Bill of Rights; one for each of the 13 states to sign and one for the federal archives. Only 12 copies survive today.
How To Observe
Display the flag of the United States on public buildings. Read the Bill of Rights. See if you can pass a quiz about the Bill of Rights. Use #BillOfRightsDay to post on social media.
History
President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated Bill of Rights Day on December 15 in 1941.
Bill of Rights Day (by Presidential Proclamation
Now, Therefore, I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate December 15, 1941, as Bill of Rights Day. And I call upon the officials of the Government, and upon the people of the United States, to observe the day by displaying the flag of the United States on public buildings and by meeting together for such prayers and such ceremonies as may seem to them appropriate.
Here, from Wikipedia, is a simplified explanation of what each of the ten amendments mean to citizens of the United States.
United States Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is the name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, which limit the power of the federal government and guarantee citizens of the United States certain rights. The amendments were written in 1789 by James Madison, and were based on important ideas about personal rights. The Bill of Rights went into effect in 1791, when 3/4 of the states agreed that they were fair. Originally, the Bill of Rights had 12 different amendments, but the first two were not passed by enough states. The second amendment that was not passed was eventually added to the Constitution in 1992, becoming the 27th amendment in the Constitution.
1st Amendment
"... of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."
This means that the government cannot make any religion an official religion. It also cannot stop people from practicing any religion.
"...or abridging the freedom of speech"
This means that the government cannot stop people from saying what they think. It applies to many forms of expression, like art. However, people do not have freedom to say things that will limit other people's rights. For example, people do not have the freedom to threaten to kill other people.
"...or of the press"
This means that the government cannot prevent newspapers and other news sources from reporting the news.
"...or of the right of the people to peaceably assemble..."
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