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Jun 15, 1215
Magna carta
Was the first document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government was not above the law. It sought to prevent the king from exploiting his power, and placed limits of royal authority by establishing law as a power in itself. -
The Declaration of Independence
A declaration of independence or declaration of statehood or proclamation of independence is an assertion by a polity in a defined territory that it is independent and constitutes a state. -
The US Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. This founding document, originally comprising seven articles, delineates the national frame of government. -
The 3rd amendment
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. -
the 4th amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. -
The 5th amendment
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces......etc -
7th Amendment
Right to a trial by jury in common-law cases. -
8th Amendment
Protection against cruel and unusual punishment. No excessive bail imposed. -
9th Amendment
The enumeration of rights in the Constitution won't be used against the people. -
10th Amendment
Reserved powers to the states. -
11th Amendment
States are protected from being sued by citizens of another state. -
12th Amendment
Separated balloting procedures for president and vice-president -
The 2nd amendment
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. -
The 6th amendment
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein 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 Assistance of Counsel for his defence. -
The 1st amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise 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. -
Marbury v. Madison
Was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review in the United States -
Gibbons v. Odgen
Vastly expanded the powers of Congress through a single clause in the Constitution -
Barron v. Baltimore
The Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution's Bill of Rights restricts only the powers of the federal government and not those of the state governments. -
Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge
Was one of the first decisions to find for the state in challenges invoking the Constitution's Contract Clause. -
Dred Scott v. Sanford
The Supreme Court ruled that Americans of African descent, whether free or slave, were not American citizens and could not sue in federal court. -
13th Amendment
Abolition of slavery. -
14th Amendment
Granted former slaves citizenship and equal protection, established principle of selective incorporation. -
15th Amendment
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Was a United States Supreme Court case that ruled segregation was legal, as long as equal facilities were provided for both races. -
16th Amendment
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. -
17th Amendment
Direct election of U.S. Senators. -
18th Amendment
Prohibited the manufacturing, sales, and transport of intoxicating liquors for the purpose of drinking. -
19th Amendment
women were aloud to now vote in elections -
20th Amendment
President and vice-president's term of office begins on January 20th, and no longer in March. -
21st Amendment
Repealed the 18th Amendment of January 16, 1919, ending the increasingly unpopular nationwide prohibition of alcohol. -
22nd Amendment
The Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution limits the number of times a person is eligible for election to the office of President of the United States to two, and sets additional eligibility conditions for presidents who succeed to the unexpired terms of their predecessors. -
Brown v. Board
The Supreme Court ruled that separating children in public schools on the basis of race was unconstitutional. -
Bush v. Gore
A divided Supreme Court ruled that the state of Florida's court-ordered manual recount of vote ballots in the 2000 presidential election was unconstitutional
