About Bill of Rights Day
Every year on December 15th, America celebrates Bill of Rights Day. The Bill of Rights is important not only in the freedoms it protects but in its demonstration of America's enduring commitment to self-improvement and striving to continuously form a more perfect union. Three-fourths of the existing state legislatures ratified the first 10 Amendments of the Constitution on December 15th, 1791. Since then, 17 additional Amendments have been ratified for a total of 27 Amendments to the Constitution.
The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, became effective following ratification by Virginia on December 15th 1791. The anniversary of ratification and of effect is observed as Bill of Rights Day.
Bill of Rights Day is a Presidential Proclamation each year. It has been proclaimed each year since 1962, but omitted in 1967 and 1968. (Issued in 1941 and 1946 at congressional request and in 1947 without request.) Since 1968, included in Human Rights Day and Week Proclamation.
According to the National Archives, “The Constitution might never have been ratified if the framers had not promised to add a Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments to the Constitution gave citizens more confidence in the new government and contain many of today's Americans most valued freedoms.”
From The American Presidency Project, Proclamation 10323—Bill of Rights Day, 2021:
“Opportunities to improve our Constitution have been contemplated since its inception. On December 15, 1791, three-fourths of the existing State legislatures ratified the first 10 Amendments of the Constitution—the Bill of Rights. These Amendments protect some of the most indispensable rights and liberties that define us as Americans. Though we have often struggled to live up to the promises they contain, 230 years after the ratification of the Bill of Rights, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms remains at the center of our democracy.
“The Bill of Rights is important not only in the freedoms it protects but in its demonstration of America's enduring commitment to self-improvement and striving to continuously form a "more perfect union." Since 1791, 17 additional Amendments have been ratified for a total of 27 Amendments to the Constitution.”
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