This is the opening of the Declaration of Independence; it includes the famous lines; We hold these truths

The Declaration of Independence

hen in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. e hold these truths to be self!evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable "ights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of #appiness. $hat to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among %en, deriving their &ust powers from the consent of the governed, $hat whenever any 'orm of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the "ight of the (eople to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organi)ing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their *afety and #appiness. (rudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes+ and accordingly all e,perience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. -ut when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same .b&ect evinces a design to reduce them under absolute /espotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. 0 0 0 0 0 0
This is the closing paragraph.

e, therefore, the "epresentatives of the united *tates of 1merica, in General Congress, 1ssembled, appealing to the *upreme 2udge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by 1uthority of the good (eople of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, $hat these

3nited Colonies are, and of "ight ought to be 'ree and 4ndependent *tates+ that they are 1bsolved from all 1llegiance to the -ritish Crown, and that all political connection between them and the *tate of Great -ritain, is and ought to be totally dissolved+ and that as 'ree and 4ndependent *tates, they have full (ower to levy ar, conclude (eace, contract 1lliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other 1cts and $hings which 4ndependent *tates may of right do. 1nd for the support of this /eclaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine (rovidence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our 'ortunes and our sacred #onor.

This is the Preamble (opening).

e the (eople of the 3nited *tates, in .rder to form a more perfect 3nion, establish 2ustice, insure domestic $ranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general elfare, and secure the -lessings of Liberty to ourselves and our (osterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the 3nited *tates of 1merica.
These amendments ere added to the original document. The! constitute the "ill of #ights. $mendments % &'( are presented here.

$he -ill of "ights 5$he 'irst 67 1mendments to the Constitution8

'irst 1mendment 9 :stablishment Clause, 'ree :,ercise Clause+ freedom of speech, of the press, and of assembly+ right to petition. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free e,ercise thereof+ or abridging the freedom of

speech, or of the press+ or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. *econd 1mendment 9 "ight to keep and bear arms. 1 well regulated %ilitia, being necessary to the security of a free *tate, the right of the people to keep and bear 1rms, shall not be infringed. $hird 1mendment 9 (rotection from quartering of troops. No *oldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the .wner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. 'ourth 1mendment 9 (rotection from unreasonable search and sei)ure. $he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and sei)ures, shall not be violated, and no arrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by .ath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be sei)ed. 'ifth 1mendment 9 due process, double &eopardy, self!incrimination, eminent domain. No person shall be held to answer for any capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand 2ury, e,cept in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the %ilitia, when in actual service in time of ar or public danger+ nor shall any person be sub&ect for the same offence to be twice put in &eopardy of life or limb+ nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or

property, without due process of law+ nor shall private property be taken for public use, without &ust compensation. *i,th 1mendment 9 $rial by &ury and rights of the accused+ Confrontation Clause, speedy trial, public trial, right to counsel. 4n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall en&oy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial &ury of the *tate and district where in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation+ to be confronted with the witnesses against him+ to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the 1ssistance of Counsel for his defense. *eventh 1mendment 9 Civil trial by &ury. 4n suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall e,ceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by &ury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a &ury, shall be otherwise re!e,amined in any court of the 3nited *tates, than according to the rules of the common law. :ighth 1mendment 9 (rohibition of e,cessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment. :,cessive bail shall not be required, nor e,cessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.