Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution has been amended 27 times, with the first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, being ratified in 1791. The most recent amendment is the 21st Amendment, which was ratified in 1933 and repealed the 18th Amendment, ending the prohibition of alcohol. While there have been no successful amendments since then, approximately 11,848 proposals have been introduced in Congress since 1789, with around 200 amendments typically proposed during each two-year term.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Amendments proposed by the US Congress | 33 |
| Number of Amendments ratified | 27 |
| First 10 Amendments | Ratified on December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the "Bill of Rights" |
| Number of Amendments proposed by constitutional convention | 0 |
| Number of proposals to amend the Constitution since 1789 | 11,848 |
| Last Amendment | 21st Amendment in 1933 |
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What You'll Learn
The process of amending the US Constitution
Firstly, a proposal for an amendment must be made. Typically, this begins with a federal legislator or legislative committee introducing a bill that suggests an amendment. For the proposal to be officially recognised, it must be passed by both houses of the legislature, achieving a two-thirds majority in each—the House of Representatives and the Senate. This process involves the entire Congress, and when both houses approve the proposal with a two-thirds majority, it is known as a joint resolution. It is important to note that Congress does not need to propose amendments, and two-thirds of the states can call for a constitutional convention to propose amendments. However, this method has not been successfully used to propose amendments thus far.
Once a proposal is passed by Congress, it is sent to the governors of all states for their consideration. This is where the second method of ratification comes into play. Each state must then decide whether to ratify the amendment through their state legislatures or by convening special ratification conventions. The Twenty-First Amendment, repealing the Eighteenth Amendment's prohibition on alcohol, is the only amendment ratified through the special ratification convention method.
The Office of the Federal Register at the National Archives tracks the progress of the amendment process, recording how each state votes. For an amendment to become part of the Constitution, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50 states). This requirement has been affirmed by the Supreme Court of the United States, emphasising the importance of achieving widespread ratification for an amendment to be valid.
Finally, upon successful ratification, the Archivist of the United States issues a certificate, officially proclaiming that the amendment has become an operative part of the Constitution. This certification is a ceremonial act witnessed by dignitaries, including the President on some occasions. The certification is published in the Federal Register and U.S. Statutes at Large, serving as an official notice to the nation that the amendment process has been completed.
The Tenth Amendment: States' Rights and the US Constitution
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The role of the Archivist of the US
The current Archivist of the United States is Dr. Colleen J. Shogan, who was sworn in on May 17, 2023. She is the 11th Archivist and the first woman to hold the position. As the head and chief administrator of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), she is responsible for supervising and directing the National Archives, preserving, protecting, and sharing the history of the United States, and making the country's historical records available for study.
The role of the Archivist of the United States involves receiving and safeguarding the original versions of all statutes of the United States, including the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. This includes maintaining custody of state ratifications of amendments to the Constitution and issuing certificates proclaiming a particular amendment duly ratified and part of the Constitution if three-quarters of the states approve. The Archivist also has duties concerning the custody of Electoral College documents in US presidential elections.
The National Archives, led by the Archivist, employs a range of professionals, including archives technicians, conservators, accountants, photographers, librarians, educators, curators, store clerks, editors, chemists, graphics designers, and volunteers. These individuals work together to locate, clean, repair, preserve, and provide access to historical records.
The Archivist plays a crucial role in preserving the nation's history and ensuring that the records are accessible to the public. They are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate and serve as the nation's record keeper. The position requires expertise in history, political science, and a commitment to civic education and public engagement.
Amendment History: 17th Amendment's Addition to the Constitution
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The ratification of the 19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees women's right to vote, was passed by Congress on June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920. This amendment was the result of a long and arduous campaign by women's suffrage activists, dating back to the mid-19th century.
The push for women's suffrage in the U.S. began in earnest in the 1800s, with women organizing, petitioning, and picketing to win the right to vote. The first formal proposal for a constitutional amendment to grant women the vote was introduced in Congress in 1878 by Senator Samuel Pomeroy (R-KS). This proposal, known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, was periodically debated in the Senate for over four decades. During this time, suffrage organizations employed various strategies to advance their cause, including legal arguments based on existing amendments and confrontational tactics such as picketing and hunger strikes.
By the late 19th century, several western states had granted women the right to vote, and in the 1890s, suffrage organizations shifted their focus to a national amendment. The movement gained momentum, and on May 21, 1919, the House of Representatives passed the amendment, with the Senate following suit two weeks later on June 4, 1919. The amendment was then submitted to the states for ratification, requiring approval from three-fourths of the states (36 states) to become law.
The final hurdle was crossed when Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment on August 18, 1920. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified the ratification on August 26, 1920, marking a significant milestone in the fight for women's political equality in the United States. However, it is important to note that the ratification did not ensure full enfranchisement for all women, as many African American and minority women continued to face barriers to voting due to discriminatory state laws.
Third Amendment: Understanding the Constitution's Amendment
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The Bill of Rights
Ten of the proposed 12 amendments were ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures on December 15, 1791. The ratified Articles (Articles 3–12) constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, or the U.S. Bill of Rights. In 1992, Article 2 was ratified as the 27th Amendment to the Constitution, while Article 1 was never ratified.
Amendment History: Kenya's Constitution Section 2A
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The 27 Amendments
The Constitution of the United States has 27 amendments, the first ten of which were ratified together on December 15, 1791, and are collectively known as the Bill of Rights. These first ten amendments include the right to free speech, freedom of religion, and the right to keep and bear arms.
The process of amending the Constitution involves proposals from Congress, which are then sent to the states for ratification. An amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 states since 1959) to become part of the Constitution. This can be done through state legislatures or state ratifying conventions.
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, known as the Reconstruction Amendments, and the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, are notable additions to the Constitution. The 21st Amendment, ratified in 1933, is unique in that it repealed the 18th Amendment, ending the prohibition of alcohol.
More recently, the 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, limited the number of terms a President could serve. The 24th Amendment, ratified in 1964, prohibited the denial of voting rights due to poll taxes or other taxes. The 25th Amendment, ratified in 1967, addressed the removal, death, or resignation of a President and the succession process.
The process of amending the Constitution is ongoing, with proposals continually introduced in Congress. However, it is challenging to become part of the Constitution, as evidenced by the numerous proposals that have failed or remain pending.
Amendment 26: Voting Rights for 18-Year-Olds
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Frequently asked questions
The Twenty-first Amendment, which was ratified in 1933, is the newest amendment to the US Constitution. This amendment repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, which had established the prohibition of alcohol.
There have been 27 amendments to the US Constitution, with the first 10 being ratified simultaneously in 1791 and known as the Bill of Rights.
Amendments to the US Constitution can be proposed by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. An amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 of 50 states) to become part of the Constitution.
