Constitution Day

From the Newseum survey on the First Amendment earlier this year demonstrating one reason the "first freedom" may be in trouble:

Only 10 percent know the First Amendment guarantees the freedom of the press.

And 33 percent of Americans have no idea at all what rights the First Amendment guarantees.

The First Amendment says: “Congress shall make no law resepecting an establishment of religion, or abridging 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.”

The Newseum Institute survey conducted by Dr. Ken Dautrich, president of the Stats Group, interviewed 1,002 American adults from May 14 through 23. The survey had a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points.

The respondents were asked: “As you may know, the First Amendment is part of the U.S. Constitution. Can you name any of the specific rights that are guaranteed by the First Amendment?”

Fifty-seven percent were able to say that the First Amendment guarantees the freedom of speech. But only 19 percent were able to say that it guarantees freedom of religion. Only 10 percent were able to say it guarantees freedom of the press. Only 10 percent were able to say it guarantees the right of assembly, and only 2 percent were able to say it guarantees the right to petition.

Thirty-three percent of the Americans surveyed were unable to cite a single right that was guaranteed by the First Amendment.

The survey (pdf)

Newseum: Only 19% Know 1st Amendment Guarantees Freedom of Religion