A Work in Progress

The National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C., houses some of the country’s most important documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. This past spring, the museum got a “new” addition: a 232-year-old copy of the Bill of Rights. 

Created to protect certain freedoms, the Bill of Rights is made up of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. But this early version includes 12 proposed amendments. The rare document is on display only until October 21, but this copy is yours to keep.

1 This flyer was printed in 1790 to drum up support for the 12 amendments, listed here as articles. Each article would become law if at least three-fourths of the states voted to approve it.

2 This amendment didn’t succeed. It outlined how to add seats to the House of Representatives as the nation grew. Today, a law caps House seats at 435.

3 These were the leaders of the House and Senate, but U.S. Representative James Madison actually did the writing. His first draft had 19 articles.

4 Don’t mistake this S for an F. Wednesday, March 4, 1789, was the first day Congress met. Lawmakers debated the amendments before sending them to the states that fall.

5 This article failed. It was proposed again in the 1980s and passed in 1992! Now the 27th Amendment, it says any pay raise lawmakers vote to give themselves can’t take effect until after the next election. 

6 Look familiar? These 10 amendments won states’ approval and became the Bill of Rights. They protect free speech, the right to privacy, and more.