This article provides an overview of amendments and a list of constitutional amendments. First, we’ll define amendments and then provide the complete list. If you have any questions, please post a comment below.
What is a Constitutional Amendment?
An amendment is an alteration of or addition to a motion, bill, constitution, etc. The United States Congress has ratified a total of twenty-seven amendments since the United States Constitution was initially signed.
The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. The procedure for amending the United States Constitution is governed by Article V of the original text.
List of Constitutional Amendments
Following is a list of the amendments to the U.S. Constitution that received the approval of the United States Congress. The list includes the name, a brief description, and the date it was enacted.
1st Amendment
It protects the freedom of religion, speech, and the press, as well as the right to assemble and petition the government.
Enacted on December 15, 1791
2nd Amendment
Protects the right to keep and bear arms.
Enacted on December 15, 1791
3rd Amendment
Prohibits the forced quartering of soldiers.
Enacted on December 15, 1791
4th Amendment
Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and sets out requirements for search warrants based on probable cause.
Enacted on December 15, 1791
5th Amendment
Sets out rules for indictment by a grand jury and eminent domain. In addition, it protects the right to due process and prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy.
Enacted on 12/15/1791
6th Amendment
Protects the right to a fair and speedy public trial by jury, including the right to be notified of the accusations, to confront the accuser, to obtain witnesses, and to retain counsel.
Enacted on December 15, 1791
7th Amendment
The seventh amendment provides for the right to a trial by jury in certain civil cases, according to common law. It was enacted on December 15, 1791.
8th Amendment
Prohibits excessive fines and excessive bail, as well as cruel and unusual punishment.
Enacted on December 15, 1791
9th Amendment
Asserts the existence of unremunerated rights retained by the people.
Enacted on 12/15/1791
10th Amendment
Limits the powers of the federal government to those delegated to it by the Constitution. It was enacted on December 15, 1791.
11th Amendment
Provides immunity to states from suits from out-of-state citizens and foreigners not living within the state borders. In addition, it lays the foundation for sovereign immunity. Enacted on February 7, 1795.
12th Amendment
This one revises presidential election procedures.
Enacted on June 15, 1804
13th Amendment
Congress passed the Thirteenth Amendment to abolish slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime. It was enacted on December 6, 1865
14th Amendment
Defines citizenship and deals with post–Civil War issues. It was enacted on July 9, 1868.
15th Amendment
Prohibits the denial of suffrage based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. It was enacted on February 3, 1870
16th Amendment
It allows the federal government to collect income tax.
Enacted on February 3, 1913
17th Amendment
It requires United States senators to be directly elected.
Enacted on April 8, 1913
18th Amendment
Establishes the Prohibition of alcohol (eventually repealed by the Twenty-first Amendment – see below).
Enacted on January 16, 1919
19th Amendment
Establishes women’s suffrage.
Enacted on August 18, 1920
Check out these other popular lists:
- List of the Best Email Newsletters
- List of Alexa Voice Commands for the Amazon Echo
- List of Presidents of the United States of America
- List of Social Media Networks
- List of the Best Web Hosting Providers
- List of Cryptocurrencies, Cryptos, and Tokens
20th Amendment
Fixes the dates of term commencements for Congress (January 3) and the President (January 20); known as the “lame duck amendment”.
Enacted on January 23, 1933
21st Amendment
This one repeals the Eighteenth Amendment, which established the prohibition of alcohol.
Enacted on December 5, 1933
22nd Amendment
Limits the United States President to two terms of service, or a maximum of 10 years. Two terms are usually eight years. However, if a Vice President serves not more than one-half of a President’s term, he/she can be elected to a further two terms.
Enacted on February 27, 1951
23rd Amendment
This one provides for the representation of Washington, D.C. in the Electoral College.
Enacted on March 29, 1961
24th Amendment
The 24th prohibits the revocation of voting rights due to the non-payment of poll taxes. Enacted on January 23, 1964
25th Amendment
The 25th defines the process of presidential succession. It allows the Vice President to become the President if the President dies. In addition, the VP becomes President if the President resigns, is removed from office, or is impaired and unable to perform the duties of the President. It was enacted on February 10, 1967.
26th Amendment
This amendment established 18 as the national voting age. Congress enacted it on July 1, 1971.
27th Amendment
Finally, the 27th prevents laws affecting Congressional salary from taking effect until the beginning of the next session of Congress. Enacted on May 7, 1992.
Proposed Changes
There have been many other proposals for amendments to the United States Constitution introduced by Congress, but only those listed above became law.
More Information
For more detailed information, please visit Wikipedia.
If you have any questions about the list of constitutional amendments, please post a comment below. Also, view other Lists of Lists.
