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Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Learn more about them here.

Bill of Rights – Charters of Freedom
Kids’ Bill of Rights – PBS Kids Go
The New United States of America Adopted the Bill of Rights – America’s Library
United States Bill of Rights - Wikipedia

A photo of the U.S. Constitution

Government Sites

Ben's Guide to U.S. Government (Grades 6-8) - (Government Printing Office) - Take a journey with Benjamin Franklin and learn all about our government.

Bill of Rights - Charters of Freedom - (National Archives) - On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution. Articles 3 to 12 were ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.

Branches of Government - Because of the colonies’ experience under the British monarchy, the delegates wanted to avoid giving any one person or group absolute control in government, so they created the branches of the government. Learn more about these branches.

Contact Your State Governor - USA.gov - This page has links to contact state governors. Click on your state and send a message to your governor.

Courtroom Staff - United States court rooms may vary the seating locations of where the jury box is located; where the the law clerks and court reporters sit; and even where the public seating area (called the "gallery") is placed; but the basic layout of a court room always contains the same elements.

Enactment of a Law - Library of Congress site about the steps to enact a law in the U.S. Government.

How Laws Are Made - Laws may be initiated in either chamber of Congress, the House of Representatives or the Senate. Learn how the process works.

Inside the Courtroom - (U.S. Attorneys' Office) - Check out a Federal Courtroom; learn what Judges and Federal Prosecutors do.

Join the Signers! - At this site, you have the opportunity to explore the legacy of our Founding Fathers through special features, exhibits, classroom activities, and more.

Judicial Branch - Ben's Guide - (Government Printing Office) - The judicial branch of government is established in Article III of the Constitution with the creation of the Supreme Court. This court is the highest court in the country and is empowered with the judicial powers of the government.

Kids in the House - Explore the role the Office of the Clerk plays in the U.S. House of Representatives. Learn about the legislative process and its effect on you.

National versus State Government - (Government Printing Office) - Following the Revolutionary War, the 13 colonies basically governed themselves. It was soon discovered that this weak form of state government could not survive and so the Constitution was drafted. Learn more.

State Legislatures - This site contains information from the home pages and websites of the fifty state legislatures, the District of Columbia and the Territories.

Supreme Court - Ben's Guide - (Government Printing Office) - The Supreme Court, part of the judicial branch, was established in the Constitution as the highest court in the nation. The Supreme Court’s most important responsibility is to decide cases that raise questions of constitutional interpretation.

The New United States of America Adopted the Bill of Rights - America’s Library - (Library of Congress) - Do you know your Bill of Rights? It is the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, confirming the fundamental rights of American citizens.

U.S. Senate - State Information List - On this site, choose a state to see a listing of that state's former Senators as well as interesting facts about its relationship to the U.S. Senate.

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Other Resources

Laws and Rights - FactMonster - Learn about America's legal system, citizens' rights and responsibilities.

Our Courts - 21st Century Civics - Our Courts is a free, interactive, web-based program designed to teach you civics and inspire you to be active participants in our democracy.

United States Bill of Rights - Wikipedia - The Bill of Rights is the name by which the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are known.

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Page Revised - 3/30/2009

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