University of Groningen
American History: Documents: Declaration of Independence
Describes the meeting of the Continental Congress during which the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Links to famous people present at the meeting.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, made by the second American Continental Congress and adopted July 4, 1776, announced the separation of the original thirteen North American British colonies from Great Britain making them into the United...
PBS
Pbs: Cet: All Known Drafts of the Declaration of Independence
Three known drafts of the Declaration are available from this website. Click on the links to the left to see the different drafts. Links to Ken Burn's interview transcripts are also provided.
American University
American University: The Declaration of Independence: First Public Reading
We have the picture in our minds of the signing of the Declaration of Independence; but what happened after that? How did the signers get the word out to the new America? Here is a list of papers and journals that printed the document...
University of Virginia
Declaring Independence: Creating and Recreating
An online exhibit telling about the original creation of the Declaration of Independence and its many forms after. W.11-12.9b US Doc Analysis
US National Archives
Docsteach: Prequel to Independence
In this activity, young scholars sequence key events leading to the Declaration of Independence by placing documents in chronological order.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Signers of the Declaration: John Adams
This site provides an interactive biography of former President John Adams, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Other
Mecklenburg Historical Association: Mecklenburg Declaration
A wonderful digital resource that provides a great depth of detail of the events resulting in the five resolutions that makes up the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Independence Day: Fundamental Ideas About Government
In this lesson, students will examine some of the fundamental ideas about government that is contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. When the lesson is completed, students should be able to...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Common Sense and Independence
Overview of the philosophy of Thomas Paine in his widely read Common Sense pamphlet, and "natural rights" philosphy as expressed in the opening passage of the Declaration of Independence.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Myth and Truth Independence Day
Contains plans for three lessons that explore the fact and fiction surrounding the Declaration of Independence and Independence Day. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains links to resources used in the...
Ducksters
Ducksters: Quiz: The Declaration of Independence for Kids
History Questions: The Declaration of Independence Quiz, Test, and WebQuest
Ducksters
Ducksters: Kids History: Declaration of Independence Full Text
Kids read the full text of the Declaration of Independence on this site.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Dutch Declaration of Independence, 1581
This site from Fordham University provides the first Declaration in modern times which Jefferson read and used as a model for writing the Declaration of Independence - the Dutch Revolution encouraged the Continental Congress to act. Read...
Other
Texas Bob: The Texas Declaration of Independence
Read this reprinting of The Texas Declaration of Independence from March 2, 1836. Each person's name who signed the document is hyper-linked to additional biographical information.
Library of Congress
Loc: Thomas Jefferson: Declaration of Independence
A look at many topics surrounding the Declaration of Independence. Find out about the precedents Thomas Jefferson used in writing it, see a copy of the rough draft, a painting of the signing, among many other primary sources.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Declaration of Independence (Part Ii)
At this site from Congress for Kids you can read a short synopsis of the Declaration of Independence and then complete the scrambled word puzzle by clicking on "Show What You Know."
Soft Schools
Soft Schools: Declaration of Independence Quiz
This easy-to-understand multiple-choice quiz takes you through events before, during, and after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Review your score and any missed questions at the end.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Kids History: Declaration of Independence List of Signatures
Students can see a full list of who signed the Declaration of Independence.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
Digital History
Digital History: Declaring Independence [Pdf]
Follow the steps that Americans took before declaring their independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence set out the ideals and reasons behind this stunning move. Use the student exercises to understand the different levels...
Digital History
Digital History: Declaring Indpendence
Read about the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence espoused by those brave souls who signed their names to the revolutionary document in 1776.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Independence
Travel back in American history to the time of the thirteen colonies struggling to free themselves from the rule of the British monarch, and discover how the Declaration of Independence was created.
Other
Object of History: Jefferson Desk (Desk on Which the Declaration Was Drafted)
Provides information on the desk that Thomas Jefferson used to draft the Declaration of Independence.