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Washington, D.C.

At four pages, the U.S. Constitution is quite a bit larger than the one page Declaration of Independence. It consists of a preample and seven articles. Prior to its existence, the thirteen colonies desperately needed something to help pull together their flailing Federal Government.

Before the U.S. Constitution was established, the Federal Government didn't have the power to impose taxes and lacked important executive or judicial powers. Basically they could make laws but couldn't enforce them or make judgements. Additionally, frequent lack of quorum between the colonies on issues critical to the fledgling nation meant things weren't getting done. Fortunately, the U.S. Constitution stepped in and changed all that.

The Constitution has been amended 27 times since its inception. The first 10 amendments came in the form of the Bill of Rights. Added to the Constitution in 1891, they strengthened the rights of the individual by putting limits on the power of the Federal Government.

My last stop in the rotunda is the Bill of Rights. As mentioned earlier, these babies were added to the U.S. Constitution as its first 10 amendments. I'll hazard to say they're probably the most important Constitutional Amendments, they are:

Amendment I	Freedom of speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly, and to petition the government.
Amendment II	Right to keep and bear arms.
Amendment III	Protection from quartering of troops.
Amendment IV	Protection from unreasonable search and seizure.
Amendment V	Due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, private property.
Amendment VI	Trial by jury and other rights of the accused.
Amendment VII	Civil trial by jury.
Amendment VIII	Prohibition of excessive bail, as well as cruel or unusual punishment.
Amendment IX	The Bill of Rights does not take away any right already held by the people under the Constitution.
Amendment X	Grants residual power to the states and to the people.