On June 8, 1789, James Madison proposed the first amendments to the United States Constitution, despite his original qualms with the drafting of a bill of rights. According to the National Archives, Madison “hounded his colleagues relentlessly” to get the Bill of Rights passed. The First Amendment states, “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.” (Emphasis added.) Freedom of speech has been...

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