Other
Monticello: Brief Biography of Thomas Jefferson
Monticello.org provides a brief but detailed biography of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826 CE), 3rd President of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence.
Other
Maryland Women's Hall of Fame: Mary Katherine Goddard
A woman before her time, Mary Katherine Goddard became a printer, newspaper publisher, and postmaster in Baltimore, Maryland. From her press came the first printed copy of the Declaration of Independence. The website gives a brief...
Other
Liberation of Ireland
Students learn about the liberation of Ireland. Topics explored are the 1916 Easter Rising, the Irish Revolution, the Republic of Ireland, and the Irish Declaration of Independence.
Other
Liberty Online: A Summary View of the Rights of British America
Written before the Declaration of Independence, this lengthy essay by Thomas Jefferson argued that the British Government was treating America unfairly. This site contains full text and footnotes within text hyperlinked to panel at...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: John Jay
John Jay epitomized the selfless leader of the American Revolution. Born to a prominent New York family, John Jay gained notoriety as a lawyer in his home state. He favored a moderate approach to Britain but joined his fellow Patriots...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: John Hancock
Forever famous for his outsized signature on the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock was a larger than life figure in other ways as well. Part of the great Boston triumvirate that included Samuel Adams and James Otis, Hancock was a...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson hoped that he would be remembered for three accomplishments: his founding of the University of Virginia, his crafting of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and his authorship of the Declaration of Independence....
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: American Independence
Part of Fordham University's Internet Modern History Sourcebook, this site gives historical background and extensive web resources on American Independence.
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. In this lesson, students learn what caused the colonies to declare independence from Great Britain and...
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.
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 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...
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...
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...
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.
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."...
Lone Star Junction
Lone Star Junction: Texas Ordinance of Secession (February 2, 1861)
This site gives the text of the Texas Ordinance of Secession after the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. It gives the reasons Texas secedes from the Union. See the parallels to the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Core Documents of u.s.democracy
Direct online access to the basic Federal Government documents that define our democratic society, a core group of current and historical Government publications.
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.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: A Biography of America: A New System of Government 1776 1826
This module examines America's efforts to form a new government after the War for Independence and to draft the Constitution. Includes an interactive activity comparing Thomas Jefferson's and Alexander Hamilton's visions for America, a...
PBS
The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro
This PBS site provides an introduction and the full text to the speech written and given by Frederick Douglass on July 5, 1853 commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
US National Archives
Nara: Charters of Freedom: Constitution of the United States
Comprehensive overview of the U.S. Constitution. Places the Constitution in context with two other founding charters of American democracy and government, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Includes access to digital...