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Subscribe to Today's highlights RSS feed Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Friday, November 20, 2009 Answer of the day

Why was the Bill of Rights written? When the states were asked to ratify the US Constitution, several of the state governing bodies agreed only on the condition that a Bill of Rights would be added to the document. James Madison drafted twelve amendments, ten of which were adopted. The resulting 413 words that make up these first ten amendments of the Constitution spell out greater individual liberties for its citizens, while limiting the power of the government. Rights and privileges included in the amendments include freedom of religion, speech, press and assembly; they guarantee prisoner's rights, and protect against governmental search and seizure. On this date in 1789, New Jersey became the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights. On December 15, 1791, Virginia ratified the document — the eleventh state to do so — officially making it a part of the Constitution.
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