Bill of Rights Day, December 15
The National Archives and Records Administration joins in the national celebration of the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, which spell out our rights as Americans. It guarantees civil rights and liberties such as freedom of speech, press, and religion. It sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the federal government to the people or the states. The original joint resolution proposing the Bill of Rights is on permanent display at the National Archives in Washington, DC.
The Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.
Historical Video
The video at this link shows the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence loaded in an armored truck at the Library of Congress, taken to the National Archives Building in a procession, and carried up the building's steps on December 13, 1952. Two days later, on Bill of Rights Day, President Harry Truman and Chief Justice Fred M. Vinson speak on the importance of the document in a ceremony at the National Archives.
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Amending America Exhibit Take a virtual tour of our Amending America exhibit, which highlights the remarkably American story of how we have amended, or attempted to amend, the Constitution in order to form a nation that more closely mirrors our ideals |
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Why the Bill of Rights? A panel discusses the story behind the Bill of Rights, the ratification of the Constitution, and the First Federal Congress. Panelists include Joseph Ellis, Jack Takeover, and Kenneth Bowling. |
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The Charters of Freedom On Bill of Rights Day in 1952 the Charters of Freedom—the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights went on display together for the first time. |
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The Bill of Rights and the First Federal Congress In this video, Charlene Bickford, Director of the First Federal Congress Project, discusses the NHPRC-funded project and the anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights by the First Federal Congress. |
Find more videos relating to the Bill of Rights on our YouTube channel.
Washington, DC, Exhibits
The Bill of Rights is on permanent display in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom
The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom is the permanent home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights.
Online Exhibits
Teaching and Learning Resources
- Civics for All of US is an education initiative that promotes civic literacy and engagement.
- DocsTeach: Amending America Helps educators locate primary sources from the National Archives that document the creation and structure of our government.
- James Madison debates the Bill of Rights
- Professional development for educators via webinar
- eBook: Congress Creates the Bill of Rights
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Distance learning programs for the K-12 classroom
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eBook: Putting the Bill of Rights to the Test student workbook
The Bill of Rights and You
Explores how the Bill of Rights was created and what it means for us today.
Download the high-resolution posters at www.archives.gov/amending-america/visit/bill-of-rights-pop-up.
Prologue Articles
- Ratifying the Bill of Rights . . . in 1939 by Mary Ryan (Winter 2016)
- The Bill of Rights at 225 by Jessie Kratz (Winter 2016)
- Celebrating the Bill of Rights by David Ferriero (Winter 2016)
- A New Era Begins for the Charters of Freedom by Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler and Catherine Nicholson (Fall 2003)
- Travels of the Charters of Freedom by Milton Gustafson (Winter 2002)
Blog Posts
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The Bill of Rights at the National Archives Building, Pieces of History
- Solving the Mystery of the Bill of Rights, Pieces of History
- The Long S, Pieces of History
- Bill of Rights Day: Celebrating Our Most Precious Freedoms, Pieces of History
- What you may not know about the Bill of Rights, Pieces of History
- George Mason and the Bill of Rights, Pieces of History
- Bill of Rights Day, Pieces of History
- The Bill of Rights Goes to the States, Pieces of History
- The Bill of Rights: 14 Originals, Pieces of History
- Read more "Pieces of History" blog posts about the Bill of Rights
- History of the Bill of Rights, Reagan Library Education Blog
- Constitutional Amendments—Creating A More Perfect Union, Reagan Library Education Blog
- Elbridge Gerry and the Constitutional Convention, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, Text Message
- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Welcomes New American Citizens National Archives News
- Biographer Defends George Mason National Archives News
- Bill of Rights Day Observance Welcomes New Citizens at National Archives National Archives News
Founders Online website lets you read James Madison's words about the Bill of Rights.
Learn more about the Bill of Rights in the online exhibit Amending America: Why a Bill of Rights?
Learn about when the Charters of Freedom went on display in 1952 on Bill of Rights Day in the online exhibit Carting the Charters.