The U.S. Constitution is replete with amendments - 27 to be exact. Some deal with issues that remain prevalent and controversial today. Others, however, haven't been touched since they were first ratified. So, off of Pocket Trivia: US History - What constitutional amendment deals with the quartering of troops in houses? Is it the 3rd, 6th, 9th or 11th?
The correct answer is the third amendment - and it is probably the most random, obscure and least controversial amendment. During the Colonial period, British soldiers would essentially take over a private residence or business and live in that home/place of work for as long as they wanted. As a result, the 3rd amendment was ratified, essentially stating that soldiers could never quartered in any house without the consent of the owner (in peacetime). It could be done during war, but only according to prescribed law.
This amendment is the least litigated one - mainly because the issue never really came up. There were a couple of direct cases during the 20th century, but that was about it. The amendment was cited in some cases, however, as part of a broader belief that the Constitution did establish a right to privacy.
Thankfully, this isn't an issue that has ever really been a problem in modern America!
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