2026 Constitution Week Spotlight

On this fourth day of Constitution Week, we focus on The First Amendment: Five Freedoms.

The First Amendment is one of the most familiar parts of the Constitution, but its protections are broader than freedom of speech alone. It protects five related freedoms: speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition. These freedoms help create a society in which Americans can express ideas, practice religion, gather with others, publish information, and ask the government to address grievances. They also illustrate an important constitutional principle: the Bill of Rights places limits on government power. 

The five freedoms are often remembered as a group because they work together. Freedom of speech, for example, is closely connected with freedom of the press and the right to assemble. Together they provide important avenues for citizens to participate in public life.

Today’s Quiz:

Which list contains all five freedoms protected by the First Amendment?

a) Speech, religion, press, assembly, petition

b) Voting, taxation, travel, speech, petition

c) Religion, privacy, property, press, assembly

d) Speech, trial, voting, press, religion

Answer: a) The First Amendment protects religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

The right to petition the government primarily protects the ability to do what?

a) Ask the government to address grievances

b) Choose Supreme Court justices directly

c) Avoid paying federal taxes

d) Serve in Congress without election

Answer: a) Petition allows people to ask the government to address grievances or concerns.

This Constitution Week Spotlight was provided by Lieutenant George Farragut Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. For more information about DAR, please visit the chapter’s website at lgfdar.com.