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Events on Thursday 15 December 1791 1
1791U.S. Bill of Rights ratifiedThe first ten amendments to the Constitution take effectOn 15 December 1791, Virginia's ratification completed adoption of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights. The amendments guaranteed fundamental freedoms including speech, religion, and due process, and limited federal power. They have since served as a model for rights protections in constitutions worldwide.