The Constitution is super important for defining and protecting our basic rights in the United States. Most of these rights are listed in the Bill of Rights and other amendments.

1. What Are Fundamental Rights?

   • Fundamental rights are the basic freedoms that everyone has. These include:
     • Freedom of speech
     • Freedom of religion
     • The right to own weapons
     • The right to keep your personal life private
   • The First Amendment protects five key freedoms:
     • Speech
     • Religion
     • Press (the news)
     • Assembly (gathering)
     • Petition (asking the government for change)

2. Civil Liberties vs. Civil Rights

   • Civil liberties are the shields we have against the government taking away our rights.
   • Civil rights make sure everyone is treated equally by the law.
   • For example, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was created to stop discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, or where someone is from. It helped make civil rights much better.

3. Understanding the Constitution

   • The Supreme Court is really important for interpreting what the Constitution means.
   • For instance, the case Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 helped end racial segregation in schools and affected millions of people.
   • In the last 75 years, over 300 cases have changed how we understand our fundamental rights.

4. The Effects of These Rights

   • About 60% of Americans appreciate how important the Bill of Rights is for protecting our freedoms.
   • Every year, thousands of petitions remind us that constitutional protections are still vital for keeping our individual rights safe from being taken away.