Randa Abdelfattah

The English Bill of Rights was established by Parliament, outlining civil rights and limiting the power of the monarchy. Included was language that would show up in the U.S. Bill of Rights more than 100 years later.

To separate themselves from the British and the monarchy, during the American Revolution, states started writing their own constitutions.

To separate themselves from the British and the monarchy, during the American Revolution, states started writing their own constitutions.

To separate themselves from the British and the monarchy, during the American Revolution, states started writing their own constitutions.

It wasn't just Virginia. State after state adopted similar language around cruel and unusual punishment in their state constitutions.

It wasn't just Virginia. State after state adopted similar language around cruel and unusual punishment in their state constitutions.

It wasn't just Virginia. State after state adopted similar language around cruel and unusual punishment in their state constitutions.

But there was still a big question about cruel and unusual.

But there was still a big question about cruel and unusual.

But there was still a big question about cruel and unusual.

That comment came from William Smith, a representative from South Carolina.

That comment came from William Smith, a representative from South Carolina.

That comment came from William Smith, a representative from South Carolina.

And then there was the most substantial comment from Samuel Livermore of New Hampshire.

And then there was the most substantial comment from Samuel Livermore of New Hampshire.

And then there was the most substantial comment from Samuel Livermore of New Hampshire.

The Eighth Amendment was ratified in December of 1791. And for the next century, that was about it. Until the Supreme Court gave it another look. That's coming up.

The Eighth Amendment was ratified in December of 1791. And for the next century, that was about it. Until the Supreme Court gave it another look. That's coming up.

The Eighth Amendment was ratified in December of 1791. And for the next century, that was about it. Until the Supreme Court gave it another look. That's coming up.

But there was something bigger buried in the Trope decision.