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The Bill of Rights: The Most Important Documents in American History

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The Bill of Rights is one of the most important documents in American history. Bills of Rights have been included in official documents for hundred of years; the Magna Carta, signed by King John in 1215, was known to contain provisions to protect certain rights within his kingdom (History of the Bill of Rights, 2012). While there was much debate regarding the inclusion of a Bill of Rights into the Constitution, Congress did not approve the inclusion of twelve Amendments, or Twelve Articles, until September 25, 1789 (History of the Bill of Rights, 2012). While the first two amendments were rejected, the first ten Amendments of the Constitution make of the United States' Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was formally ratified on December 15, 1791 (Independence Hall Association, 2012). The First Amendment protects an individual's freedom of speech and assembly and states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances" (U.S. Const. amend. I). The Second Amendment guarantees individuals the right to bear arms. The Second Amendment states, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed" (U.S. Const. amend. II). An individual's right to bear arms is also

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