The text brings together foundational expressions of American identity and government: the words of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Francis Scott Key in 1814, the Preamble and articles of the United States Constitution outlining the structure and powers of Congress, the President, and the judiciary, Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address of November 19, 1863, the first ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights ratified on December 15, 1791, and the Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776, including its statement that all men are created equal, its grievances against the King of Great Britain, its assertion that the colonies are free and independent states, and the names of the signers from the states.