Bill of Rights Memory Aid

Overview

This guide provides an easy way to remember the first ten amendments of the U.S. Bill of Rights using simple hand gestures and associations.

Amendments

First Amendment

• Gesture: Put up one finger.
• Association: Freedom of speech, press, religion, and expression — the freedom to use your one finger.

Second Amendment

• Gesture: Put up two fingers, like a gun (finger and thumb).
• Association: Right to keep and bear arms.

Third Amendment

• Gesture: Put up three fingers.
• Association: "Three is a crowd" - protection from quartering troops in your house during peacetime.

Fourth Amendment

• Gesture: Think of four walls of your house.
• Association: Protection from unreasonable search and seizure — keep the government out of your house.

Fifth Amendment

• Gesture: Put up five fingers and cover your mouth.
• Association: Right against self-incrimination — "plead the fifth."

Sixth Amendment

• Gesture: Hold up six fingers and point at your wrist (watch).
• Association: Right to a speedy trial.

Seventh Amendment

• Gesture: Think of "lucky seven" in Vegas (slot machine).
• Association: Right to trial by jury in civil cases — associated with "suits" at common law.

Eighth Amendment

• Gesture: Cuffs forming an "8" and bail set at $8 million.
• Association: Protection against excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

Ninth Amendment

• Gesture: German "9" for "no."
• Association: Just because certain rights are not listed doesn't mean they can be violated — protection of unenumerated rights.

Tenth Amendment

• Gesture: Put up all ten fingers.
• Association: "Stop" the federal government from imposing on states' rights — powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states.