BILL OF RIGHTS ENSURES OUR INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS

We celebrate the 200th anniversary of a remarkable document Sunday. The Bill of Rights has shaped America as the cornerstone of our free society. Rights we too often take for granted were guaranteed in these first 10 amendments to the Constitution 200 years ago.

We can only marvel at the genius of the men who forged this document that still governs our lives today. Our world today is much removed from that of James Madison, the Bill of Rights' principal author. But through judicial interpretation, the amendments have evolved with the times. In fact, the Bill of Rights has gained considerable impact the last 65 years due to a series of Supreme Court rulings.

Ironically, the Bill of Rights fulfilled a political promise to Madison and others, who feared a centralized government might overshadow the rights of individuals.

State leaders submitted 124 proposed amendments. From that list, these 10 were chosen:

First Amendment guarantees religious freedom, and free speech. If we don't like what our government is doing, we can say so without fear of reprisal.

Second Amendment guarantees the right of people to keep and bear arms.

Third Amendment protects Americans from being forced to house soldiers.

Fourth Amendment protects Americans from unreasonable search and seizure.

Fifth Amendment guarantees us due process. It protects people from being charged twice for the same crime, from self-incrimination, and from losing private property to government use without just compensation.

Sixth Amendment promises speedy, public and fair criminal trials.

Seventh Amendment preserves the right of trial by jury.

Eighth Amendment bans excessive bail and prohibits cruel and unusual punishment for those convicted.

Ninth Amendment guarantees that people also have other rights, not necessarily spelled out in this document.

Tenth Amendment confirms that the powers not granted to the United States are reserved to the states or to the people.

The Bill of Rights was not a perfect document. Silent endorsement of slavery and women's second-class status were rectified by later amendments. But in the midst of social change, the original 10 amendments remain strong protectors of our rights.

The Declaration of Independence gave birth to a new nation, and the Constitution forged the structure in which the people would govern. But it is the Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments that protect our individual freedoms.