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“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.” -First Amendment to the US Constitution, 1791 What Is the First Amendment? The 45 words in the First Amendment guarantee residents of the United States five basic freedoms that form the base for our other freedoms outlined in our founding documents. These freedoms are deeply embedded in our everyday lives—from being able to freely express our opinions, to reading news free from government censorship, and being part of clubs and groups that interest us—our lives would be vastly different without the First Amendment. The First Amendment provides the base for maintaining a healthy democracy. It allows us to: • Freely share information and ideas without censorship • Take a stand on an issue individually or with a coalition of others, without fearing punishment from the government • Freely practice, or choose not to practice, our spiritual beliefs • Tell the government what we think about issues that matter to us and advocate for our positions on these issues • Freely gather to discuss issues of importance and in some cases protest to raise awareness about an issue or cause What Were the Founders Thinking When It Was Created? When the Constitution was ratified in 1787, it created the framework for our democracy and system of government. Aside from the opening words in the preamble which made reference to the “blessing of liberty” the document did not specifically address people’s rights and the limits of government. Ideas about freedom throughout world history and personal experience living under an oppressive monarchy had a strong influence on the founders. It made the founders sensitive toward the idea of protecting individual liberties from the interference of government, whether it is state or federal powers. This led to the Bill of Rights. Because the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution, each section is known as an amendment. What Do These Freedoms Mean? The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees the five freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. These freedoms are the foundation of all the other freedoms in our founding documents and enable us to participate in a healthy democracy.   Freedom of Religion The First Amendment prohibits the government from establishing an official religion, or favoring one religion over another. It also prevents the government, in most instances, from interfering with the ways in which people practice their faiths. Freedom of Speech The First Amendment protects our right to express ourselves through words, symbols, and actions. As a result, we can exchange ideas, consider the views of others, and act on issues that matter to us. There are some instances, however, when the government can restrict our freedom of speech. Freedom of Press The First Amendment generally prohibits the government from controlling what is printed in newspapers and books, broadcast on TV or radio, or posted on the Internet. As a result, we can freely share—as well as access—information, ideas and diverse views. Freedom of Assembly The First Amendment guarantees our right to gather in groups to discuss any topic we choose. It also protects our right to stage protests in public places. The government can, however, impose some restrictions on this freedom to protect the interests of others. Freedom to Petition The First Amendment protects our right to encourage government action through nonviolent activities. To influence public officials, we can write, call or email them. We can also participate in public protests, file lawsuits and send petitions, or lists of signatures, to show that others share our concerns.   Learn more about each of these freedoms in Defining Freedom. The Debate Continues Although we all tend to agree on the spirit of the Bill of Rights, we still debate how the rights and freedoms contained in it apply to us today. And as societal and cultural norms change over time, we are constantly re-interpreting where our rights end and the rights of others begin. Next section >>

Onboard the Freedom Express click to enlarge The first thing visitors see when climbing aboard the museum is a crowd of thousands exercising First Amendment rights. Also on display: Freedom Pin, circa 1965. Freedom of Religion article First Amendment Center Freedom of Speech article First Amendment Center Freedom of Press article First Amendment Center Freedom of Assembly article First Amendment Center Freedom of Petition First Amendment Center