Following ratification by the state of Virginia, the first 10
amendments to the U.S. Constitution, known collectively
as the Bill of Rights, become the law of the land.

American statesman Patrick Henry (1736-1799) delivers his patriotic "Give me liberty, or give me death" speech before
the Virginia Assembly in 1775.

A photograph of the Bill of Rights, as it appeared after having been passed by the House of Representatives of the United States in 1789. The document can be seen in the Federal Archives Building in Washington, D.C.

The Signing of the Constitution of the United States, with
George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas
Jefferson at the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

The first session of the U.S. Congress was held in New York City
as the U.S. Constitution took effect. However, of the 22 senators
and 59 representatives called to represent the 11 states who had
ratified the document, only nine senators and 13 representatives
showed up to begin negotiations for its amendment.

The Constitution of the United States of America was signed
by 39 delegates present at the conclusion of the Constitutional
Convention in Philadelphia. Supporters of the document waged
a hard-won battle to win ratification by the necessary nine out
of 13 U.S. states.

On January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Attempting to stitch together a nation mired in a
bloody civil war, Abraham Lincoln made a last-ditch, but carefully calculated, decision regarding the institution of slavery in America.

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1776, the Continental
Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which
proclaims the independence of the United States of America
from Great Britain and its king.

The Assembly Room in Independence Hall in Philadelphia,
where the Second Continental Congress adopted the
Declaration of Independence.

John Hancock
(January 23, 1737 – October 8, 1793)

Draft of the Declaration of Independence being presented
to Congress.