Birth of the Nation: The First Federal Congress, 1789-1791 | Next Page
Amendments to the Constitution

The Bill of Rights as sent out for ratification
The Bill of Rights as sent out for ratification
(Courtesy of the National Archives)

DHFFC Transcript: DHFFC, vol.4, p.1

Congress submitted twelve Amendments to the states on September 28, 1789. The first two proposals, on apportionment of the House and congressional salaries, were rejected by the states. On December 15, 1791, the other ten Amendments became part of the Constitution when they were ratified by Virginia. By then they had become known as the Bill of Rights.
 

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