The United States Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791. These amendments were created to protect individual liberties and limit the power of the federal government. They guarantee essential rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as the right to bear arms and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Bill of Rights was influenced by earlier documents, including the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the English Bill of Rights. It serves as a foundational element of American democracy, ensuring that citizens have specific protections against government overreach and preserving fundamental freedoms.