National Bill of Rights Day

Did you know that today is National Bill of Rights Day? I didn't know that, either, until I read an editorial about it in today's newspaper. Isn't it a shame that this important date has been forgotten? The Bill of Rights protect us from the government, and as we forget about them, we lose more and more of our Constitutionally-protected freedoms. Just in case you have forgotten what they are, here is a brief summary of the first ten amendments to our Constitution.

• The First Amendment guarantees our freedoms of religion, speech and the press, the ability to assemble, and the right to "petition the government for a redress of grievances."
• The Second Amendment guarantees us the right to own guns.
• The Third Amendment guarantees that we won't have to billet soldiers in our own homes.
• The Fourth Amendments keeps us safe from "unreasonable searches."
• The Fifth Amendment spells out our rights to justice and keeps the government from stealing our property.
• The Sixth Amendment gives us the right to a "speedy and public trial."
• The Seventh Amendment gives us the right to be tried by a jury in any civil case amounting to more than $20.
• The Eighth Amendment protects us from "cruel and unusual punishment."
• The Ninth Amendment says that we have more rights than just those listed in the Bill of Rights and protects us from infringement of them.
• The Tenth Amendment limits the power of the federal government.

I'm not sure how best to celebrate this date, but I won't let it slip up on me again.

For more information, head over to Bill of Rights Day.