The Constitution has been amended 27 times. Most amendments to the Constitution deal with basic civil rights or the structure of the federal government. The first ten amendments to the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights. The reason for this is that they deal almost exclusively with basic civil rights that are guaranteed to all Americans. Each of these amendments was ratified in 1791. Here are the first 10 Amendments: 1) freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion, 2) the right to bear arms, 3) prohibits the government from forcing people to quarter soldiers, 4) prohibits unwarranted searches and seizures, 5) requires a warrant from a grand jury for felony offenses. It also grants people the right against self-incrimination (i.e., the right to remain silent during an arrest or trial), 6) guarantees the right to a speedy trial and the right to confront witnesses at a trial, 7) guarantees the right to a trial by jury in civil suits, 8) prohibits excessive, cruel and unusual punishment, 9) prohibits rights guaranteed in the Constitution from being construed in a way as to take away other constitutional rights, 10) gives states the authority to pass their own laws, as long as they don't conflict with the Constitution.