Curated OER
History Matters: Declaration of Independence of Vietnam
On September 2, 1945, Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the independent Democratic Republic of Vietnam in Hanoi?s Ba Dinh square. The first lines of his speech repeated verbatim the famous second paragraph of America?s 1776 Declaration of...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Independence
Independence is so important to Americans. Congress for Kids provides a tutorial on this core value.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: A Living Document
Listen and read along as news reporters from NPR recite the Declaration of Independence.
C-SPAN
C Span American Writers: The Declaration of Independence
A brief summary of The Declaration and Constitution by Thomas Jefferson and others. Also includes an on-line text of the work as well as links to other information websites.
Library of Congress
Loc: Jefferson's "Original Rough Draught"
Readers can explore a reconstruction of Thomas Jefferson's original rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, before it was revised by the members of the Committee of Five.
iCivics
I Civics: Got Grievances?
Learn what economic, political, and social factors led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. For this lesson, students learn what caused the colonies to declare independence from Great Britain and...
Library of Congress
Loc: Thomas Jefferson's Original Letters and Documents
This page from the Library of Congress provides us with links to images of original documents. These includes letters from Thomas Jefferson, holographs, and the transcript of Jefferson's "original Rough Draft" of the Declaration of...
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: John Locke
The University of Groningen provides information about the 17th century British liberal philosopher. Includes concise biographical information and a link to the text of "A Letter Concerning Toleration." Read about what part of his...
US National Archives
Docsteach: Celebrating America's Bicentennial in 1976
In this activity, students will learn how the Declaration of Independence has been made available so that Americans can still read this important document. They will follow the steps that were involved in printing copies of the...
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: Thomas Jefferson's Autobiography
The University of Virginia presents the full text of Thomas Jefferson's autobiography. Among many other topics, Jefferson discusses the Declaration of Independence.
US National Archives
National Archives and Records Administration: America's Founding Documents
Original founding documents supported by explanations and articles. Includes the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: The Duel: Thomas Jefferson
This resource provides biographical information regarding Thomas Jefferson's political career (both nationally and in the state of Virginia), the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and his retirement at Monticello.
Other
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation: War and Upheaval
Follow the trajectory of the Revolutionary War through this synopsis that is broken down into five themes. Read about the Declaration of Independence, the turning points of the war, other countries that supported the war, and how...
University of Virginia
Uva Libraries: Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson
The life of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826 CE) is given here in his own words. Includes a copy of the Declaration of Independence.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: American Lit and Comp: Rationalism:thomas Jefferson
This lesson focuses on the historical background of Thomas Jefferson including his writings and his political career. It also provides a link to "Declaration of Independence" and the "Discovery Education Video: Thomas Jefferson."...
Claremont Institute
Founding.com: Calvin Coolidge
Two speeches given by Calvin Coolidge. The first was in 1924 on the topic of religious freedom. The second was in 1926 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: Age of Jefferson and Madison
[Free Registration/Login Required] After a brief description of Thomas Jefferson's and James Madison's contributions to the early ideology and government of the new United States in their authorship of the Declaration of Independence and...
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: Draft of the Declaration
Here you can read the draft that Jefferson submitted to Congress. Changes made by Adams and Jefferson are marked to indicate Jefferson's words and then the final wording that was adopted.
CommonLit
Common Lit: The Declaration of America's Immense Offense
A learning module that begins with "The Declaration of America's Immense Offense" by BirdBrain History, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned...
Other
Us flag.org: Declaring Independence: Drafting the Documents
Use this timeline for the drafting of the Declaration of Independence to learn more about American history. It takes you from June 7, 1776, through to the writing of this major document in U.S. history.
Curated OER
Cbc News: Kosovo Declares Independence
Kosovo declared itself an independent nation, in defiance to the Serbian government and Russia. Follow the details of the creation of this new country! (February 2008)
PBS
Pbs: Archives of the West: Declaration of the People of Texas: Nov. 7, 1835
This document, offered on this PBS website, is the declaration of the people living in Texas objecting to the treatment by Santa Anna and asking for help from the Mexican government.
BBC
Bbc: Montenegro Declares Independence
A June 2006 news report examining Montenegro's declaration of independence from Serbia.
Library of Congress
Loc: Creating the United States
This resource examines the creativity and inspiration that went into the creation and writing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.