Constitutional Amendments

Constitutional Amendments

Period: Jan 1, 1791 to Dec 31, 1992

Bill of Rights

Dec 15, 1791

Amendment 1 Freedoms, Petitions, Assembly
Amendment 2 Right to bear arms
Amendment 3 Quartering of soldiers
Amendment 4 Search and arrest
Amendment 5 Rights in criminal cases
Amendment 6 Right to a fair trial
Amendment 7 Rights in civil cases
Amendment 8 Bail, fines, punishment
Amendment 9 Rights retained by the People
Amendment 10 States' rights Image Reference

Amendment 11 - Lawsuits against states

Feb 7, 1795

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State. Image Reference

Amendment 12 - Presidential elections

Jun 15, 1804

The amendment revises presidential elections by using Electoral College. Image Reference

Amendment 13 - Abolition of slavery

Dec 6, 1865

This amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude with the exception of punishment for crime. For example, a chain gang. Image Reference

Amendment 14 - Civil Rights

Jul 9, 1868

This amendment defines citizenship by stating that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens. Image Reference

Amendment 15 - Black suffrage

Feb 3, 1870

This amendment prohibits the denial of voting rights based on race or previous forms of servitude (slavery). Image Reference

Amendment 16 - Income Taxes

Feb 3, 1913

This amendment allows the federal government to collect income taxes from citizens. Image Reference

Amendment 17 - Senatorial elections

Apr 8, 1913

This amendment estblished the direct elections of senators by citizens' popular vote. Image Reference

Amendment 18 - Prohibition of alcohol

Jan 16, 1919

This amendment banned the making, selling and drinking of alcohol. Image Reference

Amendment 19 - Women's suffrage

Aug 18, 1920

This amendment gave women the right to vote. Image Reference

Amendment 20 - Terms of office

Jan 23, 1933

This amendment established the dates in which representatives and the president are suppose to serve in office. This is also known as the "lame duck" amendment. Image Reference

Amendment 21 - Repeal of Prohibition

Dec 5, 1933

This amendment canceled out the 18th amendment making alcohol legal again. Image Reference

Amendment 22 - Term Limits for the Presidency

Feb 27, 1951

This amendment set the term limits for a president to two terms. That is eight years plus two more years if a vice president has to take office for the president, with a total of ten years maximum. Image Reference

Amendment 23 - Washington, D.C., suffrage

Mar 29, 1961

This amendment allowed Washington D.C. representation in Electoral College. Image Reference

Amendment 24 - Abolition of poll taxes

Jan 23, 1964

This amendment prohibits the denial of voting rights to people who not pay to vote in elections. Image Reference

Amendment 25 - Presidential succession

Feb 10, 1967

This amendment defines the process of a presidential succession. If the president dies, the vice president takes office, if the vice president dies the Speaker of the House is next, then the President of the Senate, then the Secretary of State and so on. For more information click here. Image Reference

Amendment 26 - 18-year-old suffrage

Jun 30, 1971

This amendment established the official voting age to 18 years old. Image Reference

Amendment 27 - Congressional pay raises

May 7, 1992

This amendment prevents Congressional members from getting pay raises until the beginning of the next Congressional session. Image Reference