Bill of Rights Day

On this day in 1791, the first ten amendment to the Constitution were ratified, collectively known as the Bill of Rights.

Observance and enforcement of the Bill of Rights in all three branches of government has been uneven since then. At various times, the courts have both made up provisions that are not there and ignored provisions that are there. The elected branches sometimes seem disposed to give the Bill of Rights no more respect than the courts will require. And of course the Bill of Rights did not take us all the way home to the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence. We still had a long way to go.

Despite the limitations and imperfect observance, though, the Bill of Rights has been an important element of American liberty. Our Founding Fathers deserve our respect and thanks for this large and important step in the progress of liberty.