AOF Activities & Events

Bill of Rights Day (by Presidential Proclamation):

Now, Therefore, I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate December 15, 1941, as Bill of Rights Day.  And I call upon the officials of the Government, and upon the people of the United States, to observe the day by displaying the flag of the United States on public buildings and by meeting together for such prayers and such ceremonies as may seem to them appropriate.

To view the official proclamation, see: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-2524-bill-rights-day 

The first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. Passed by Congress on September 25, 1789, these rights place limits on government power.

Did you know ...?

• The bill was introduced by James Madison. He later became the 4th President of the United States.
• The Bill of Rights initially had 12 proposed amendments. One concerned the number of constituents for each Representative. The other addressed compensation of Congressman. Neither were ratified.
• In 1992, compensation of Congressman was ratified 203 years later and is now the 27th amendment.
• The Bill of Rights is displayed in The Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC.
• There were 14 copies of the Bill of Rights, one for each of the 13 states to sign and one for the federal archives. Only 12 copies survive today.

HOW TO OBSERVE:

Display the flag of the United States at home and on public buildings. Read the Bill of Rights. See if you can pass a quiz about the Bill of Rights. Use #BillOfRightsDay to post on social media.