The Constitution was undeniably the idea, design, and proposal of James Madison, but so also was the Bill of Rights. The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. Once the Constitution was ratified and signed by the 55 Representatives of the States in Congress, it had to be approved by each of the States individually.

In an effort to gain the votes of the States, Madison, together with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton wrote the “Federalist Papers” to fully explain the meaning and importance of the Constitution. Nine State had to adopt it before the Constitution would replace the Articles of Confederation as the principle document uniting the States.

Thomas Jefferson, from France, suggested and recommended that certain amendments were necessary to more completely protect the citizens of the new nation. At the Constitutional Convention in Virginia, Patrick Henry pointed out what he believed to be the shortcomings of the proposed document.

James Madison debated Henry in the Virginia Convention. Finally Madison’s complete understanding of the written document and his talented oratory carried the day. Patrick Henry’s vociferous arguments were so persuasive that James Madison agreed to submit several amendments to the final Constitution.

Madison submitted 17 amendments. Twelve were approved by Congress. Ten were ratified by the states. We know these first 10 amendments as the Bill of Rights. Without Jefferson, Henry and Madison, we probably wouldn’t have a Bill of Rights, and perhaps wouldn’t even have a Constitution.

Indeed, we have much to be thankful for, for these noble men.