Final answer:
The Bill of Rights is a crucial part of the United States Constitution, consisting of the first ten amendments that enumerate and protect individual freedoms and legal rights against government overreach. It is legally binding and forms the foundation of American civil liberties, drawing from historical documents like the English Bill of Rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Bill of Rights refers to the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, which were ratified in 1791 to ensure the protection of individual freedoms. These amendments guarantee various personal liberties and rights, including freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.
They also establish protections against arbitrary government actions in legal proceedings, such as unreasonable search and seizure, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and ensure a right to a fair trial. The Bill of Rights draws inspiration from previous documents like the English Bill of Rights of 1689 and the Virginia Declaration of Rights, reflecting the deeply held belief in intrinsic personal rights and government limitation.
Contrary to the question's statement, the Bill of Rights is indeed a legal document, as it has been integrated into the Constitution which is the supreme law of the United States. This misconception may arise from confusion with other non-binding declarations or with broader statements of human rights that do not have the same legal status as the U.S. Bill of Rights.