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Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: Declaration of Independence (1776)

For Students 9th - 10th
The Our Documents group provides a look at the original, signed Declaration of Independence as well as a print version distributed soon after the original was signed. View and learn about the document and its history. RI.9-10.9 US Documents
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Primary
US National Archives

Nara: Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides an extensive overview of the Declaration of Independence. View the actual document, explore the history of the document as well as it's "stylistic artistry," and much more.
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Sheg: Document Based: Reading Like a Historian: Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students use primary source documents to investigate central historical questions. In this investigation students weigh contrasting interpretations by prominent historians to answer the question: Why...
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Primary
Yale University

Avalon Project: Declaration of Independence: July 4,1776

For Students 9th - 10th
Read the words for independence penned by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence. Then link to a discussion of the document by Jefferson in his own autobiography.
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Primary
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
The Independence Hall Association provides an online image of the original document of the Declaration of Independence.
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Primary
The History Place

The History Place: The Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from The History Place provides both relevant pictures and the full text of the Declaration of Independence. An audio version is also available. Click on "American Revolution Main Index Page" for information on the war itself.
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Activity
PBS

Pbs: Liberty!: The Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Here you can find a general overview of the Declaration of Independence, followed by its full text.
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Activity
Ibis Communications

Eyewitness to History: Writing the Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
An article about the Declaration of Independence which covers the selection of the Committee of Five, Jefferson's writing, the presentation to Congress for approval, the problems in drafting, and the final changes which were made....
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Handout
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the men primarily responsible for writing and revising the Declaration of Independence. Includes links to the signers of the document, an image of the Declaration, and information on the drafting of the document.
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Handout
Wyzant

Wyzant: Claiming Freedom: The Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Website with primary source material on the Declaration of Independence history, teaches students about why it was written, how it was recieved and accepted, and how it is structured.
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Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Teachers: Declaration of Independence: Created Equal?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
What does the Declaration of Independence mean with the phrase, "All men are created equal"? Students examine "equality", and what it means now and what it meant during the time of Thomas Jefferson, and "develop a rationale for...
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Handout
PBS

Citizen Ben: Founding Father

For Students 9th - 10th
As part of a larger site about the extraordinary Benjamin Franklin, this section focuses on his being one of founding fathers of the new United States of America. Read about the three major documents he signed as a delegate and diplomat.
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Primary
University of Groningen

American History: Documents: Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the meeting of the Continental Congress during which the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Links to famous people present at the meeting.