“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
With that addition to the U.S. Constitution, the First Amendment was born. With these words, the concept of free speech was ratified into law as part of the Bill of Rights. Free Speech Week, held this year during the week of October 19-25, is held annually to recognize the importance of free speech to our democracy. Check out the article here.