In 1789, twelve amendments to the U.S. Constitution were proposed. The purpose of these amendments was to protect individual freedoms and to limit the power of government. Of the twelve amendments, ten were passed in 1791 (the 1st through 10th amendments) and one was passed in 1992 (the 27th amendment). The dearest freedoms protected by the Bill of Rights include the right to bear arms, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion.