The First Amendment allows us many freedoms and rights. They include the ability to practice our own religion, express ourselves, freedom of speech and petition the government. On December 15, 1791, the First Amendment was approved by the congress and allowed citizens to be free. Except the slaves, the slaves fought in wars hoping that they would be free from forced labor. They weren’t free until the 13th Amendment was passed by the congress on January 31, 1865. The First Amendment is important because the citizens have the right to the rights included in the Amendment so the government can’t pass laws against the rights. American citizens have the right to their religion, the freedom of speech, peacefully protest, and to petition the government. Lots of other countries don’t have the same rights as we do, and we need to appreciate the amendments and what they protect for us.
Ella Stahmann is an eighth grader at J. R. Gerrits Middle School in Appleton.
