What are the two steps of the amendment process that have actually been used to create amendments?

The two steps of the amendment process that have been used to create amendments to the U.S. Constitution are proposal and ratification. An amendment can be proposed either by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Congress or by a national convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures. Once proposed, the amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or by conventions in three-fourths of the states. This process ensures both federal and state approval for constitutional changes.