Through sheer force of will and a supremely convincing explanation of democratic government, John Adams almost single-handedly convinced the Second Continental Congress to unanimously approve our Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

The Sixth Amendment helped usher in a new age of justice. With the various rights included in this amendment, the Founders guaranteed to all Americans transparency and fairness in criminal proceedings, and protection from an over-reaching government.

In 1775, despite the seemingly unavoidable conflict between the colonies and England, there was disagreement regarding our future relationship. Some, like John Dickinson, wanted to remain loyal to the King, some were undecided, and others, including John Adams, wanted to declare independence. Watch Americana Corner’s latest video and learn how the opening debates resulted in a last attempt at reconciliation, and why it still matters today.

The Fifth Amendment contains five separate but related rights protecting those accused of a crime. Thanks to the foresight of our Founders, we are innocent until proven guilty, and the burden to prove guilt falls on the government.

By 1773, John Adams had established a prosperous legal practice and had a fine family. He believed differences with the Crown could be and should be worked out. But after the Boston Tea Party, and England’s response, Adams became committed to the cause of independence as one of Massachusetts’ representatives to the First Continental Congress.

It is hard to imagine any place more sacred to each of us than our home. We take for granted a natural right to privacy there, but our Founders lived in a different time.

John Adams was one of the most respected attorneys in Boston. His highest profile case came in 1770 with the Boston Massacre trial. When no one else would take their case, Adams agreed to defend seven British soldiers accused of murdering five civilians who as part of a large mob had threatened the men.

The Third Amendment centered on a very important matter to our Founding Fathers, that of the people being forced to bear the costs of housing and feeding soldiers.

John Adams, one of America’s greatest Patriots, played an important role in allowing America to gain its independence from England. His upbringing in a Puritan home had tremendous impact on his fine character and straightforward manner so frequently displayed throughout his life.

The Founders recognized that securing oneself from harm was a fundamental right and made certain they guaranteed it to all of us.

Other than George Washington, Henry Knox was the greatest soldier-statesman of the Founding Generation, and his accomplishments in the field and the halls of government are unparalleled.

When creating the Bill of Rights, the Founders believed meetings to discuss vital issues of the day were essential to a republican form of government. The right to peaceably assemble allowed people to gather, discuss ideas, and formulate their requests, and the right to petition allows these requests to be taken directly to elected officials.

Henry Knox served as Secretary of War from 1785 to 1795, the longest in our nation’s history. When Knox began his term, this critical post had been vacant for sixteen months, in part because Congressional leaders were nervous about a standing army.

American colonies had suffered with oppressive policies under English rule. Prior to the First Amendment, the right to say and print what whatever one wanted, including making negative comments about the government, did not exist.

Henry Knox was one of the greatest soldiers in our nation’s history, with an amazing record of success. By age 32, he had gone from little-known Boston bookseller to Major General of the Continental Army, the youngest soldier to attain that rank.

Nothing can be more fundamental to our pursuit of happiness than the ability to freely practice what we believe in and not be forced to violate our conscience.

Henry Knox is one of our nation’s most under-appreciated military leaders, involved in many critical battles of the American Revolution. He went on to serve as the first Secretary of War for the United States.

After the proposed Constitution was circulated to state legislatures for approval, it came under criticism for its lack of a bill of rights. As a result, although the proposed Constitution was quickly ratified by five states, it bogged down in other assemblies.