The Constitution of the United States has 27 ratified amendments.
The first ten amendments are particularly significant and are collectively known as the Bill of Rights, which was ratified in 1791.
Here is a summary of the most well-known amendments:
- Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10): Guarantees fundamental rights and liberties to individuals, such as:
- First Amendment: Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
- Second Amendment: The right to keep and bear arms.
- Fourth Amendment: Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
- Fifth Amendment: Right to a Grand Jury, protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and guarantees due process.
- Sixth Amendment: Right to a speedy and public trial, and the right to counsel.
- Eighth Amendment: Protection against excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.
- Ninth & Tenth Amendments: Reserve powers and rights to the people and the states.
- Thirteenth Amendment (1865): Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude.
- Fourteenth Amendment (1868): Defines citizenship, guarantees equal protection under the law, and includes the Due Process Clause.
- Fifteenth Amendment (1870): Granted the right to vote regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
- Nineteenth Amendment (1920): Granted women the right to vote (Women’s Suffrage).
- Twenty-Second Amendment (1951): Limits the President to two terms.
- Twenty-Sixth Amendment (1971): Lowered the national voting age to 18.
