LibGuides: Federal Constitution, Sources for Analysis and Interpretation: Amendments 1-10, Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights Primary Sources

Annals of Congress: The Annals of Congress, originally titled The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States are a retroactive publication of congressional debate in the First Congress to the Eighteenth Congress, spanning the years from 1789 to 1824. Published between 1834-1856, the Annals are not a verbatim record of congressional speeches and discussions, but paraphrased accounts from available sources.

The Annals of Congress
Click on "View Archived Site" for, arguably, more user friendly version.
The Annals of Congress
The Annals of Congress

Bill of Rights Primary Source Compilations

The Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Volumes XXXVII and XXXVIII of The Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution contains contemporary source document related to the creation and ratification of the Bill of Rights. Villanova University subscribes to the digital edition. Falvey Library has physical volumes at call number KF4502.D63.
Bill of Rights: A Documentary History (1971).
Authored by law professor Bernard Schwartz, this set takes an expansive view of inspirational sources for the Bill of Rights. Professor Schwartz chose documents from English history, the American Colonies, the American Revolution and the Early Republic. The Law Library has a physical copy at call number KF4744.S739 1971.
Bill of Rights: Primary Documents in American History
Primary and secondary sources on the Bill of Rights, including page references to debate in the Annals of Congress.
The Complete Bill of Rights: The Drafts, Debates, Sources and Origins (1997).
Collection of contemporary sources associated with drafting of the Bill of Rights. Available at the Law Library at call number KF4744 1997.
The Creation and Ratification of the Bill of Rights
Source documents on Bill of Rights, including descriptions of state ratifying convention activities. Site maintained by the University of Wisconsin's Center for the Study of the American Constitution

Bill of Rights' Passage Histories

Congress Creates the Bill of Rights by Center for Legislative Archives (U.S.)
Accessible history from the National Archives on Bill of Rights' passage.

Bill of Rights' Passage Timeline

The dates of the Bill of Rights' consideration and passage can help locate congressional debate in sources like the Annals of Congress.

June 8, 1789: James Madison introduces a series of amendments in the House.
Summer, 1789: Amendments debated in House.
August 24, 1789: House passes 17 amendments.
September 2, 1789: Senate begins consideration of amendments.
September 25, 1789: Senate passes 12 amendments.
1789 - December 15, 1791: States ratify Bill of Rights amendments.