Amendments to the U.S. Constitution

1st - 27th Amendments

Period: 1791 to 1992

Interactive Links:
https://www.quia.com/quiz/449467.html
https://www.britannica.com/quiz/amendments-to-the-us-constitution
https://www.icivics.org/games/do-i-have-right Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9HVfwhnYiI

Bill of Rights

Dec 15, 1791

1st - Freedom of Religion, Assembly, Petition, Press, and Speech
2nd - Right to Bear Arms
3rd - Quartering of Soldiers
4th - Search and Seizure
5th - Rights of Accused
6th - Fair, Speedy Trial
7th - Trial by Jury
8th - Cruel and Unusual Punishment
9th - Rights Kept by the People
10th - Powers Kept by the States or the People Interactive link: https://www.annenbergclassroom.org/resource/newsfeed-defenders/

11th Amendment

Feb 7, 1795

A citizen of one state can not sue another state in federal court. Video Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1k6Q5K6cZE

12th Amendment

Jun 15, 1804

Each elector would cast one vote for President and one vote for Vice President.

Civil War Amendments (13th -15th)

Period: Dec 6, 1865 to Feb 3, 1870

13th - Abolition (ending) of Slavery
14th - Rights of Citizen (Granted citizenship to anyone born in the
United States)
15th - African Americans were granted the right to vote Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90Xxt6Ukff8

16th and 17th Amendments

Period: Feb 3, 1913 to Apr 8, 1913

16th Amendment - Income Tax
17th Amendment - People would directly elected Senators. (taken
away from the state legislatures)

18th Amendment

Jan 16, 1919

This ended the production, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages in the United States. Known as the Prohibition Era Video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uU9GMJ8a5w

19th Amendment

Aug 18, 1920

Women's Suffrage
Women gained the right to vote. Song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASx-s0fPzK4

20th Amendment

Jan 23, 1933

The "Lame Duck" Amendment
-Lame Duck is a Congressman who failed to be reelected but still had a while to serve out his term of office.
-Changed the start date of Congress from December 3rd to January 3rd
-Changed Presidential inauguration from March 4th to January 20th
-If president-elect dies before taking office, then the vice president-elect will become president. Video Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZYRUcWIwBE

21st Amendment

Dec 5, 1933

Allowed alcoholic beverages to be produced, sold, and distributed within the US.
*Only amendment to do repeal a prior amendment

22nd Amendment

Feb 27, 1951

-Limits the number of times a person can become President to two
-If a Vice-President becomes President due to death, etc. and serves more than two years, then they can only run for President one more time.
-Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was elected four times as President. The only one to be elected more than twice.

23rd Amendment

Mar 29, 1961

People who live in the District of Columbia were given 3 electoral votes which allowed them to participate in electing the President. They are still without representation in Congress.

24th Amendment

Jan 23, 1964

Abolition (end) of Poll Tax

25th Amendment

Feb 10, 1967

-Succession of President
-Once the Vice-President takes over as President, he may select a new Vice-President with the approval of Congress.
-If the President informs Congress that he can no longer carry out the duties, then the Vice President becomes the Acting President.
-The Vice-President and the Cabinet can inform Congress if they feel that the President is unable to carry out his duties.

26th Amendment

Jul 1, 1971

This amendment lowered the voting age to 18.

27th Amendment

May 5, 1992

Any increase in Congressional salaries will take effect the subsequent session of Congress.