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Bill of Rights, in the United States, the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which were adopted as a single unit on December 15, 1791, and which constitute a collection of mutually reinforcing guarantees of individual rights and of limitations on federal and state governments.
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. It spells out Americans’ rights in relation to their government. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual—like freedom of speech, press, and religion.
The United States Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution.
- Other Rights Kept by the People. The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. James Madison wrote the amendments as a solution to limit government power and protect individual liberties through the Constitution.
Ninth Amendment [Non-Enumerated Rights (1791)] (see explanation) Tenth Amendment [Rights Reserved to States or People (1791)] (see explanation)
The Bill of Rights—the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution protecting the rights of U.S. citizens—were ratified on December 15, 1791.
On September 12, five days before the Convention adjourned, George Mason and Elbridge Gerry raised the question of adding a bill of rights to the Constitution. Mason said: It would give great quiet to the people; and with the aid of the State declarations, a bill might be prepared in a few hours.
The Constitution might never have been ratified if the framers hadn't promised to add a Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments to the Constitution gave citizens more confidence in the new government and contain many of today's Americans' most valued freedoms.
Although 12 amendments were originally proposed, the 10 that were ratified became the Bill of Rights in 1791. They defined citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government under the Constitution.