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Constitution Information: BIll of Rights

To celebrate constitution day September 17 every year this is a great guide about why this is important!

The Bill of Rights

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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 offense 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.
  6. 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 defense.
  7. 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.
  8. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
  9. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
  10. 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.

Amendments 11-27

11) Protects the states from lawsuits filed by citizens of other states or country.

12) Requires separate ballots for the offices of president and vice president.

13) Bans Slavery.

14) Defines citizens and citizens rights.

15) Prohibits national and state governments from denying the vote based on race.

16) Allows congress to tax incomes.

17) Establishes the direct election of U.S senators.

18) Bans the making,selling,and shipping of alcoholic beverages.

19) Extends the right to vote to women.

20)  Changes the date for starting a new congressional term and inaugurating a new president.

21) Repeals Amendment 18.

22) Limits terms a president can serve to two years.

23) Gives citizens of Washington, D.C., the right to vote in presidential elections.

24) Bans Poll Taxes.

25) Establishes procedures for presidential succession  .

26) Gives 18 year olds the right to vote.

27) Limits the ability of congress to increase it's pay.

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