The asphalt was warm under my feet and the sun seemed to illuminate the rusted railroad tracks that laid behind me. It was the time of year my grandpa's apple trees would spring to life in a collage of green and red. I remember this day clearly. It was early in the afternoon and my grandmother sat on the porch. I sat beside her and surprised her with a question. I asked her what it was like when she was a child. She explained to me how times were different then and that she did not have the same privileges that I have. I look back upon that day now and compare her time with mine, and it still strikes me as unbelievable at how things have changed. We have freedom that those in the past would find hard to comprehend. The freedom that I believe defines us as Americans.
On December 15, 1791 the Bill of Rights, which held the first ten Amendments to the Constitution, went into effect. Due to the First Amendment, the Bill of Rights brought a significant change to America. The First Amendment states," Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Without the First Amendment, religious minorities could be persecuted, the government could enforce a national religion, protester's thoughts could never be heard, the press could not criticize the government, and citizens could never establish a social change. Whether it be the freedom of speech, religion, or press we as Americans have freedom. Though my grandmother did not have this freedom I can proudly say that I do. I can speak my mind with out fearing a punishment for my words. I can express any thought on paper. My beliefs will always be mine and I will never have to worry about changing them for anyone else. This is the kind of freedom that many can not claim to have, but as an American I...