The Amendments

Overview

• The U.S. Constitution has 27 amendments.
• The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights, ratified on December 15, 1791.

Bill of Rights

1. First Amendment
   • Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition.
2. Second Amendment
   • Right to Bear Arms.
3. Third Amendment
   • Quartering of Soldiers.
4. Fourth Amendment
   • Search and Seizure.
5. Fifth Amendment
   • Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Self Incrimination, Due Process, Takings.
6. Sixth Amendment
   • Right to Speedy Trial by Jury, Witnesses, Counsel.
7. Seventh Amendment
   • Jury Trial in Civil Lawsuits.
8. Eighth Amendment
   • Excessive Fines, Cruel and Unusual Punishment.
9. Ninth Amendment
   • Non-Enumerated Rights Retained by People.
10. Tenth Amendment
    • Rights Reserved to States or People.

Subsequent Amendments

11. Eleventh Amendment
    • Suits Against States.
12. Twelfth Amendment
    • Election of President and Vice President.

Reconstruction Amendments

13. Thirteenth Amendment
    • Abolition of Slavery.
14. Fourteenth Amendment
    • Citizenship Rights, Equal Protection, Apportionment, Civil War Debt.
15. Fifteenth Amendment
    • Right to Vote Not Denied by Race.

Other Notable Amendments

16. Sixteenth Amendment
    • Income Tax.
17. Seventeenth Amendment
    • Popular Election of Senators.
18. Eighteenth Amendment
    • Prohibition of Liquor (later repealed by the 21st Amendment).
19. Nineteenth Amendment
    • Women's Right to Vote.
20. Twentieth Amendment
    • Presidential Term and Succession, Assembly of Congress.
21. Twenty-first Amendment
    • Repeal of Prohibition.
22. Twenty-second Amendment
    • Two-Term Limit on Presidency.
23. Twenty-third Amendment
    • Presidential Vote for D.C.
24. Twenty-fourth Amendment
    • Abolition of Poll Taxes.
25. Twenty-fifth Amendment
    • Presidential Disability and Succession.
26. Twenty-sixth Amendment
    • Right to Vote at Age 18.
27. Twenty-seventh Amendment
    • Congressional Compensation.

Additional Resources

• National Constitution Center offers resources like the Constitution 101 Course, Supreme Court Cases Library, and Founders' Library.
• For more information, visit the National Constitution Center's website and explore their educational materials and programs.