The Franklin Mint History Of The United States, 1776-1973
Manufacturer
The Franklin Mint
CultureAmerican
DateNo Date
MediumSilver
DimensionsOverall: 1 3/4 in. (45 mm.)
Credit LineGift of Dr. Eugene F. Poutasse
Object number76.81.16
Not on view
DescriptionOne of collection of 200 silver medals.The 1791 medal: Bill of Rights Guarantees Individual Freedoms
The first ten amendments to the U.S Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights since they protect certain rights of the individual and of the States.
Several States were reluctant to ratify the Constitution without a Bill of Rights, but once it was approved and the government in operation, Congress was cool when James Madison brought forth the amendments in June, 1789. These were then submitted to the State legislatures. Two failed to pass but the other ten went into effect when Virginia became the 11th State (out of 14) to ratify.
By a strange quirk, Massachusetts, which had recommended that a Bill of Rights be added to the Constitution, did not ratify the amendments until 1941 when the oversight was discovered. Connecticut and Georgia also ratified them in 1941.
