The Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791, comprises the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, establishing essential liberties and protections for individuals against government overreach. It guarantees fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the right to bear arms, as well as protections against unreasonable searches and seizures and rights related to criminal prosecution. The Bill of Rights represents a crucial development in American democracy, emphasizing the importance of civil liberties and setting a precedent for future amendments and legal interpretations aimed at safeguarding individual freedoms throughout the nation.