National Archives Challenges the Twitter-verse to Tweet the Bill of Rights

Here's a fun way to celebrate history!

Washington, D.C. . . The National Archives is celebrating the 219th

anniversary of the Bill of Rights (December 15, 2010) social media-style

with a contest to tweet @archivesnews condensing each amendment to the

U.S. Constitution into a single tweet counting down to the First

Amendment using hashtag #BillofRights. On Bill of Rights Day (Dec. 15)

the final contest will be to create one tweet summarizing all ten

amendments. See the contest schedule and more information below.


The previous day’s winner will be announced at 10 a.m. on the

National Archives Facebook and Twitter (@archivesnews) site. Archivist

of the United States David S. Ferriero will select one winner for each

amendment. Each winner will receive a Bill of Rights poster from the

National Archives eStore, and the winning tweets may be used in a future

Archive store product!



Contest Schedule:
December 6:

Amendment X: 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.


December 7:

Amendment IX: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights,

shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the

people.


December 8: (same day, but a separate tweet for each!)

Amendment VIII: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive

fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.


Amendment VII: 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.


December 9: (same day, but a separate tweet for each!)

Amendment VI: 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.


Amendment V: 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.


December 10:

Amendment IV: 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.


December 13:

Amendment III: 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.


December 14:

Amendment II: 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.


December 15:

Amendment I: 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.

BONUS: In one tweet, summarize the entire Bill of Rights!