“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13
Just what is the Bill of Rights and why do we have it today?
From 1787-1788, there were many bitter debates mostly by the Anti-Federalists of the time. They did not want clarification and amendments to the Constitution. Those who did wanted to ensure that our rights and freedoms were clearly defined for our new country.
The amendments of the Bill of Rights add to our Constitution very specific guarantees we have as citizens.
Freedom of speech, the right to publish, practice religion, assemble, possess firearms, and other natural and legal rights.
It also clarified that all powers not given specifically to the federal government reverted back to the states or the people.
Largely because of the efforts of representative, James Madison, we have our Bill of Rights today.
For almost 150 years, the Bill of Rights was largely ignored by the government and the people. It was only came strongly to light and practice in 1931 in a case involving freedom of speech.
So what are the amendments that the Bill of Rights offers? Here are the first ten amendments on record.
- freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition
- right to bear arms
- quartering of soldiers
- protection against unreasonable search and seizures
- rights in criminal cases
- right to a fair trial
- right to jury trial in civil cases
- protection against cruel and unusual punishment
- rights retained by the people
- powers reserved to the states or the people
George Washington had 14 handwritten copies of the Bill of Rights made. One for Congress and one for each of the 13 states. The copy for Congress has been on display in our nation’s capitol since the 1950’s. Many of the copies have gone missing or been destroyed.
In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared December 15th to be Bill of Rights Day commemorating the 150th year of its ratification.