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Primary sourceDocument25 September 1789

Bill of Rights

25 September 1789

The engrossed 1789 joint resolution proposing constitutional amendments, signed by John Adams in his role as President of the Senate.

As Vice President and President of the Senate, Adams signed this resolution proposing the amendments that became the Bill of Rights.

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Aged, yellowed parchment page with handwritten calligraphy in brown ink. The heading reads 'Congress of the United States' in large script, followed by the opening lines of the document below.
Bill of Rights, engrossed joint resolution, 25 September 1789. U.S. National Archives.

About this source

What it is

This is the enrolled joint resolution of Congress, dated 25 September 1789, proposing 12 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, 10 of which were ratified in 1791 as the Bill of Rights. It is held by the U.S. National Archives.

Why it matters

John Adams signed this document as Vice President and President of the Senate. The amendments addressed fears that the new Constitution could allow tyranny, echoing memories of British violations of civil rights before and during the Revolution. The Bill of Rights defined the rights of citizens in relation to the new federal government.

Look closer

  • Why did many states insist on adding a bill of rights before ratifying the Constitution?
  • What does Adams's signature on this document show about his role in the new government?
  • Why do you think one of the original 12 amendments took over 200 years to be ratified?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of John Adams, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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