14th Amendment (U.S. Constitution)

The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1868, grants citizenship to all individuals born or naturalized in the United States. It ensures that no state can deny any person equal protection under the law or deprive them of life, liberty, or property without due process. Essentially, it guarantees rights and protections to all citizens, helps prevent discrimination, and reinforces that states must follow constitutional rights. The amendment was a key step in securing civil rights, particularly for formerly enslaved people, and remains central to many legal battles over equality and fairness.