The Annotated U.S. Constitution
Explore a the history and the meaning of the First Amendment.
James MadisonAlthough there was disagreement about the necessity of including a Bill of Rights in the Constitution, Americans broadly supported protections for a free press, freedom of religion, etc. In 1789, James Madison proposed amending the U.S. Constitution to address these issues. The First Amendment incorporates the rights that the Founders thought were fundamental to liberty: freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly and the right to petition the government.