Solving the Mystery of the Bill of Rights

December 15 is Bill of Rights Day, which commemorates the ratification of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution.  The National Archives received the original, engrossed first amendments to the Constitution, what we now call the Bill of Rights, in 1938 from the State Department. Until the National Archives was created in 1934, the … Continue reading Solving the Mystery of the Bill of Rights

The Long S

Bill of Rights Day is December 15. Visit the National Archives website for more information. Today’s post comes from Rachel Bartgis, conservator technician at the National Archives at College Park, MD. One of the most frequent questions visitors to the National Archives Rotunda have about the Bill of Rights is why is the word Congress … Continue reading The Long S

Human Rights for All

December 10 is Human Rights Day, commemorating the date the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The United Nations was formed in 1945 to prevent the atrocities that occurred during World War II from ever happening again. One of the UN's primary goals was, "promoting and encouraging respect … Continue reading Human Rights for All

The Bill of Rights: 14 Originals

December 15 is Bill of Rights Day, which commemorates the ratification of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. For more information on events and resources at the National Archives, visit our Bill of Rights Day website. On September 25, 1789, the First Federal Congress passed the first proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution. … Continue reading The Bill of Rights: 14 Originals

Unratified Amendments: Titles of Nobility

This is the second installment of a series about unratified constitutional amendments. Today we’re looking at an amendment proposed during the lead-up to the War of 1812 that sought to bar U.S. citizens from accepting titles of nobility.  The U.S. Constitution has a Titles of Nobility clause that prohibits the federal government from granting titles … Continue reading Unratified Amendments: Titles of Nobility

Unratified Amendments

To date, the U.S. Constitution has 27 amendments. The first 10 are known as the Bill of Rights, then the rest generally protect and expand individual rights or outline how government works. Congress, however, has actually proposed 33 constitutional amendments to the states. The Bill of Rights as proposed to the states containing 12 amendments, … Continue reading Unratified Amendments

What you may not know about the Bill of Rights

December 15 is Bill of Rights Day, which commemorates the ratification of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. For more information on events and resources at the National Archives, visit our Bill of Rights Day website. How much do you know about the Bill of Rights? We know a lot and have written … Continue reading What you may not know about the Bill of Rights

The First Amendments to the U.S. Constitution

Two hundred and thirty years ago on September 25, 1789, Congress passed the very first proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Ten of these eventually became the Bill of Rights.   During the period of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, one of the biggest criticisms of the document was that it lacked a bill of … Continue reading The First Amendments to the U.S. Constitution

My Fellow Americans: Bill of Rights Day at the National Archives

December 15 is Bill of Rights Day, which commemorates the ratification of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. For more information on events and resources at the National Archives, visit our Bill of Rights Day website. "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity … Continue reading My Fellow Americans: Bill of Rights Day at the National Archives

Bill of Rights Day: The People’s Vote

December 15 is Bill of Rights Day, which commemorates the ratification of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Today’s post comes from Bailey Martin from the National Archives History Office. December 15, Bill of Rights Day, is an important day for the National Archives because it is the one day of the year … Continue reading Bill of Rights Day: The People’s Vote