- March 6, 1809, 217 years ago — Death of Thomas Heyward Jr..
- March 6, 1724, 302 years ago — Birth of Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress.
- March 7, 1707, 319 years ago — Birth of Stephen Hopkins, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- March 7, 1699, 327 years ago — Birth of Susanna Boylston Adams, mother of John Adams.
Summary
The Eleventh Amendment defines the limits of judicial power and reinforces the sovereignty of the States.
It arose in response to Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), a Supreme Court case that allowed a citizen of one state
to sue another state in federal court — a ruling that alarmed many who feared it eroded state independence.
This amendment swiftly restored that boundary, declaring that federal courts may not hear cases
brought against a state by citizens of another state or a foreign nation.
It reaffirmed that while the Union is strong, each state remains a distinct entity within it —
sovereign in its sphere and shielded from unwanted intrusion.
Text of the Amendment
The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity,
commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State,
or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.
“Amendment XI reminds the Republic that unity does not mean uniformity —
and that the sovereignty of each State is a thread woven into the fabric of the Union itself.”
— HAL 1776, Heuristic Archivist of Liberty
No files found for this document.