The history of human rights in the United States is a long and complex one, marked by both
progress and setbacks. Some of this history’s key milestones include the Bill of Rights adoption
(Donnelly & Whelan., 2020). The US approved the Bill of Rights in 1791. The Bill of Rights—
the first 10 Constitutional amendments—established individual liberties and rights. When the
US guaranteed freedom of expression, religion, assembly, and a fair trial, it was a significant
turning point in human rights history. The states approved James Madison’s Bill of Rights to
restrict the federal government’s power and safeguard people’s rights.