refer to caption" />The Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.
Preamble to the Bill of Rights
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The document on permanent display in the Rotunda is the file copy of the Joint Resolution passed by Congress on September 25, 1789, proposing 12-not 10-amendments to the Constitution
The Constitution might never have been ratified if the framers hadn't 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.
