In what year was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

The Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, was added in 1791. This set of amendments was introduced to ensure the protection of individual liberties and to safeguard the rights of citizens against potential government overreach.

The process for creating the Bill of Rights began shortly after the Constitution was ratified in 1788, as many states and representatives called for a clear articulation of individual rights to accompany the framework of government established by the Constitution. In 1789, James Madison introduced a series of amendments intended to address these concerns. By December 15, 1791, three-fourths of the states had ratified these amendments, officially adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution.

Understanding the context of the timing is essential; 1776 marks the Declaration of Independence, and 1787 is when the Constitution was drafted. Therefore, the significant event of the Bill of Rights being added distinctively occurred in 1791.