The U.S. Constitution takes effect, setting in place our current form of federal government. During the ratification period following the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, James Madison proposed several amendments to address states’ concerns. One provided that “No state shall violate the equal rights of conscience, or the freedom of the press, or the trial by jury in criminal cases.” When Madison narrowed down the list of proposals to 12, this one got left behind. Ten of the remaining 12 were ratified as the Bill of Rights,