U.S. Founding Documents
This gallery highlights resouirces designed to enhance study of a few significant primary source documents from American history.
A Century of Lawmaking
U.S. Congress records from 1774 to 1875, including Bills and Resolutions, Congressional Record and Statutes at Large.
Declaration of Independence
Independence Day, also known as "the Fourth of July," celebrates our Declaration of Independence from the British Empire in 1776.
The Constitution
Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the U.S. Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of government.
Federalist Papers
"Written in favour of the New Constitution" (in 1787 and 1788), the Federalist Papers explores how the American government might operate.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights which guarantee essential rights and liberties, were ratified in 1791.