How many amendments are currently in the Constitution?

The United States Constitution currently includes 27 amendments. These amendments are formal changes or additions made to the original document and serve to address various issues such as individual rights, voting rights, and government structure. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified shortly after the Constitution was adopted in 1788. Subsequent amendments have been added over the years to expand civil rights and address societal changes.

The process for amending the Constitution is intentionally rigorous, requiring either a two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate or a convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures, followed by ratification from three-fourths of the states. This careful process underscores the founding fathers' intent to ensure that changes to the Constitution would be well-considered and supported by a broad consensus. Therefore, the knowledge that there are 27 amendments is crucial when discussing the evolution of the Constitution and the rights it protects.