Press Kit: Amending America - Select Exhibit Images/Records
Exhibit Press Kit
Amending America marks the 100th Anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights and highlights the remarkably American story of how we have amended, or attempted to amend, the Constitution in order to form “a more perfect union.”
Only 27 times—out of more than 11,000 proposals—have Americans reached consensus to amend the Constitution. Discover why some proposed amendments successfully became part of the Constitution, while others failed to gain enough support. Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery, March 11, 2016–September 4, 2017 Amending America is presented in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of AT&T, HISTORY®, and the Lawrence F. O'Brien Family.
Select Images/Records
H.J. Res. 8 proposing a constitutional amendment to elect the President by lot, January 13, 1846, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives. National Archives Identifier: 24200386
Memorial regarding the abolition of the Presidency, circa February 1868, Records of the U.S. Senate. National Archives Identifier: 25466022
H.J. Res. 159 proposing an amendment to the Constitution to extend the right to vote to widows and spinsters who are property holders, endorsed April 30, 1888, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives. National Archives Identifier: 25466157
No Taxation Without Representation, cartoon by Clifford Berryman, November 20, 1920, Records of the U.S. Senate Collection
Jury s guilty verdict for Al Capone on the charge of tax evasion, October 17, 1931, Records of District Courts of the United States. National Archives Identifier: 628966
H.J. Res 661 to propose a constitutional amendment to prohibit drunkenness, with handwritten note, April 21, 1938, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives. National Archives Identifier: 24824208
Letter to the House UnAmerican Activities Committee (HUAC) from Lillian Hellman regarding her subpoena, May 19, 1952, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives. National Archives Identifier: 24200384
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Lincoln Memorial Program, August 28, 1963, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. National Archives Identifier: 5753043
President George W. Bush talks with community leaders after touring the Islamic Center of Washington, DC. George W. Bush Presidential Library, Records of the White House Photo Office. National Archives Identifier: 5997318