• First Amendment: Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

  • Second Amendment: The right to own and carry guns.

  • Third Amendment: Soldiers cannot be forced into private homes in peacetime.

  • Fourth Amendment: Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

  • Fifth Amendment: Rights in criminal cases, including due process and no self-incrimination.

  • Sixth Amendment: Right to a fair and speedy criminal trial.

  • Seventh Amendment: Right to a jury trial in many civil cases.

  • Eighth Amendment: No excessive bail, fines, or cruel and unusual punishment.

  • Ninth Amendment: People have rights not specifically listed in the Constitution.

  • Tenth Amendment: Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people.

  • Eleventh Amendment: Limits lawsuits against states.

  • Twelfth Amendment: Changes how the president and vice president are elected.

  • Thirteenth Amendment: Ends slavery.

  • Fourteenth Amendment: Gives citizenship and equal protection under the law.

  • Fifteenth Amendment: Voting cannot be denied because of race.

  • Sixteenth Amendment: Congress can collect income tax.

  • Seventeenth Amendment: Senators are elected directly by the people.

  • Eighteenth Amendment: Bans alcohol.

  • Nineteenth Amendment: Women get the right to vote.

  • Twentieth Amendment: Moves the dates when presidents and Congress begin their terms.

  • Twenty-First Amendment: Ends Prohibition.

  • Twenty-Second Amendment: Presidents can serve only two terms.

  • Twenty-Third Amendment: People in Washington, D.C. can vote for president.

  • Twenty-Fourth Amendment: No poll tax for voting.

  • Twenty-Fifth Amendment: Explains what happens if a president dies, resigns, or is unable to serve.

  • Twenty-Sixth Amendment: Eighteen-year-olds can vote.

  • Twenty-Seventh Amendment: Congress cannot give itself a pay raise immediately.

  • Source summary: the National Archives and Congress’s Constitution Annotated list the 27 amendments and their main meanings.archives+1