United States Bill of Rights - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

United States Bill of Rights - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "United States Bill of Rights
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United States Bill of Rights
Image of the United States Bill of Rights from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
Image of the United States Bill of Rights from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
Created 1791
Location National Archives
Authors James Madison
Purpose A bill of rights for the United States

The Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. They were introduced as a series of amendments in 1789 in the First United States Congress by James Madison. Ten of the amendments were ratified and became the Bill of Rights in 1791. These amendments limit the powers of the federal government, protecting the rights of all citizens, residents and visitors on United States territory. Among the enumerated rights these amendments guarantee are: the freedoms of speech, press, and religion; the right to keep and bear arms; the freedom of assembly; the freedom to petition; and the rights to be free of unreasonable search and seizure; cruel and unusual punishment; and compelled self-incrimination. The Bill of Rights also restricts Congress' power by prohibiting it from making any law respecting"