The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. 2002.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States. Among other provisions, they protect the freedoms of speech, religion, assembly, and the press (seeFirst Amendment); restrict governmental rights of search and seizure; and list several rights of persons accused of crimes (seeFifth Amendment).
After the new Constitution was submitted to the states in 1787, several approved it only after being assured that it would have a bill of rights attached to it. Accordingly, these amendments were passed by the first Congress under the Constitution and were ratified by the states in 1791.