EPIC DOCUMENTS IN

HISTORY

THE PREAMBLE TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION “We the People of the United States, in

Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

U.S. BILL OF RIGHTS Establishment Clause, Free Exercise

Clause; freedom of speech, of the press, and of assembly; right to petition

“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.”

U.S. BILL OF RIGHTS Right to keep and bear arms. “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.”

U.S. BILL OF RIGHTS Protection from quartering of

troops. “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”

U.S. BILL OF RIGHTS Protection from unreasonable

search and seizure. “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.”

U.S. BILL OF RIGHTS Due process, double jeopardy, self-

incrimination, eminent domain. “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, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”

U.S. BILL OF RIGHTS Trial by jury and rights of the accused “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 defense.”

U.S. BILL OF RIGHTS Civil trial by jury. “In Suits at common law, where the

value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.”

U.S. BILL OF RIGHTS Prohibition of excessive bail and

cruel and unusual punishment “Excessive bail shall not be required,

nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. “

U.S. BILL OF RIGHTS Protection of rights not specifically

enumerated in the Constitution. “The enumeration in the Constitution, of

certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”

U.S. BILL OF RIGHTS Powers of States and people. “The powers not delegated to the

United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

U.N. DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS Universal Declaration of Human Rights

(UDHR) The Declaration has been translated

into at least 375 languages and dialects Arose directly from the experience of

the WWII Represents the first global expression of

rights to which all human beings are entitled

Consists of 30 articles

UDHR Article 1.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2.Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

UDHR Article 3.

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4.No one shall be held in slavery or

servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5.No one shall be subjected to

torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

UDHR Article 15.

Everyone has the right to a nationality. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Article 16. Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution. The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

UDHR Article 22.

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 24.Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

UDHR Article 26. (Right to Education)

“Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages…Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.”

UDHR Article 27.

Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

CONSTITUTION DEFINITION The act or process of composing, setting

up or establishing. The system of fundamental laws and

principles that prescribe the nature, functions, and limits of government or another institution

Guaranteed Human RightsWritten DownUpheld and Defendable Interpretation

Changes – Amendments

WHAT DOES THE CONSTITUTION GUARANTEE? Smooth Transition for passing power

NATURAL RIGHTS!!! Rights we’re born with

Life Liberty Pursuit of Happiness