Events with tag - Amendment

September 25, 1789

First Amendment Proposal

The First Congress of the United States proposed the First Amendment along with eleven other amendments, which would later become known as the Bill of Rights. This pivotal moment in American history established the foundation for protecting essential civil liberties.

December 15, 1791

Bill of Rights Ratification

The Bill of Rights was officially ratified on December 15, 1791, when Virginia became the tenth state to approve the amendments, establishing fundamental individual liberties and limitations on federal power in the United States Constitution.

January 1, 1863

Emancipation Proclamation

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, a landmark executive order that declared all slaves in Confederate states to be free. This historic document transformed the Civil War from a conflict over states' rights to a fight for human freedom.

December 6, 1865

13th Amendment Ratification

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on December 6, 1865, marking the formal abolition of slavery throughout the United States. This historic legislation, championed by President Abraham Lincoln, required intense political maneuvering and transformed the nation's social and legal landscape forever.

December 6, 1865

Thirteenth Amendment Ratification

The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was officially ratified, marking the formal abolition of slavery throughout the United States. This historic amendment passed after intense political negotiations and required approval from three-fourths of the states.

July 9, 1868

14th Amendment Ratification

The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, establishing citizenship rights and equal protection under law for all Americans, including former slaves. This transformative amendment fundamentally changed the relationship between states and federal government during the Reconstruction era.

August 18, 1920

19th Amendment Ratification

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting women the constitutional right to vote after a 72-year struggle. This historic moment marked a fundamental change in American democracy, adding 26.8 million women to the electorate.

February 27, 1951

22nd Amendment Ratification

The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, limiting presidents to two four-year terms or a maximum of 10 years if they assumed the presidency through succession. This amendment formalized the two-term tradition established by George Washington.

February 10, 1967

25th Amendment Ratification

The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, establishing crucial procedures for presidential succession, disability, and filling vice-presidential vacancies in response to concerns raised after President Kennedy's assassination.

July 1, 1971

26th Amendment Ratification

The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18. It became the fastest-ratified amendment in U.S. history, taking just 100 days to complete the process.

May 7, 1992

27th Amendment Ratification

The 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified after an unprecedented 203-year delay, becoming the most recent constitutional amendment. It prevents Congress from implementing immediate pay raises for its members.