Your Bill of Rights - TIME
Cover Story: One Document, Under Siege
How fights over the U.S. Constitution illuminate four of today's most divisive issues: Libya, taxes, health care and immigration More »
The First Amendment
Why were the freedoms of press, speech and assembly so important to the Founding Fathers? More »
The Second Amendment
Why did the framers of the U.S. constitution demand the right of the people to keep and bear arms? More »
The Third Amendment
Because the British army regularly commandeered colonists' homes, the Framers insisted on the right to refuse to quarter troops in private property More »
The Fourth Amendment
The right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures is often argued as protecting our right to privacy More »
The Fifth Amendment
Guarantees rights for citizens accused of crimes, not the least of which is the protection against self-incrimination More »
The Sixth Amendment
The guarantee of the right to a speedy trial by jury in the district where the crime was committed and the opportunity to question witnesses More »
The Seventh Amendment
The right to a jury trial for any civil case over property more than $20 More »
The Eighth Amendment
Protection against excessive bail and cruel or unusual punishments. What was considered cruel or unusual in 1789? More »
The Ninth Amendment
When James Madison penned the Bill of Rights, some worried that by writing some things down, it meant other rights were not secured More »
The Tenth Amendment
The final amendment in the Bill of Rights was drafted because the states were concerned about the power of a Federal government More »
Graphic: We The People
Americans weigh in on the founding document More »
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