US National Archives
Our Documents: Pacific Railway Act (1862)
Contains images of the original document and a transcript of the complete text of the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 in an easy to read format. Also contains a brief overview on the background behind this act.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Telegram Announcing the Surrender of Fort Sumter (1861)
Offers an image of the original telegram from Major Anderson announcing his surrender of Fort Sumter. Discusses this event and the historical events surrounding it.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Executive Order: Resulting in the Relocation of Japanese
Summarizes the background behind this order that moved people of Japanese ancestry to relocation centers in 1942. Provides a link to an image of the original document and a copy of the text.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Federalist Papers, No. 10 & No. 51
This site presents the full document of the Federalist Papers, No. 10 & No. 51. Content includes information about the document and the full text of the document. This is No. 10. Scroll to the lower part of the page for a link to No....
US National Archives
Our Documents: Washington's First Inaugural Speech
This site presents the full written document of President George Washington's first inaugural speech. Content includes information about the speech, images of the document itself, and a full transcript of the document.
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Federal Judiciary Act
An online resource on the Federal Judiciary Act that provides an explanation of the Act, an image of the document itself, and the text.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Declaration of Independence (1776)
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
US National Archives
Our Documents: Dawes Act (1887)
Read about the development, purpose, and effect of the Dawes Act, which was also known as the General Allotment Act. This site has images of the original document.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Keating Owen Child Labor Act of 1916
This online resource provides the complete text and image of the original document of the Keating-Owen Child Labor Act of 1916 along with comprehensive document information. This act "limited the working hours of children and forbade the...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Learn about this landmark Supreme Court case on the issue of racial discrimination . Provides an image of a document from the case files and a transcript of the opinion delivered in 1896 by Justice Henry Brown "which sustained the...
US National Archives
Our Documents: National Industrial Recovery Act (1933)
Along with an image of the first page of the National Industrial Recovery Act is an excellent description of what it entailed and the high hopes of improving the economy its passing engendered. You can also read about the opposition to...
US National Archives
Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service
Our Documents is home to one hundred milestone documents that influenced that course of American history and American democracy. Includes full-page scans of each document, transcriptions, background information on their significance, and...
US National Archives
Our Documents: De Lome Letter (1898)
This site features an online facsimile of the letter written by the Spanish Ambassador to the United States in which he criticized American President William McKinley. Its publication generated public support for a war with Spain over...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Treaty of Paris (1783)
A wonderful interactive look at an original copy of the Treaty of Paris (1783). This treaty ended the Revolutionary War. Along with the original copy is a brief, informative paragraph. Also find links to larger images and downloadable...
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Us Constitution (1787)
See the original copy of the United States Constitution! This interactive page lets you point to the part you would like to see. Along with background information, you can also link to larger images, a typed transcript, and downloadable....
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)
The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed by Congress in 1798 because of feared war with France. This engaging page gives you the opportunity to see a complete copy of the original document and also gives links to a typed transcript,...
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Louisiana Purchase Treaty (1803)
A fantastic site from the Our Documents group that allows visitors to see an original copy of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty of 1803. This treaty allowed the United States to purchase a tract of land west of the Mississippi River that was...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
An interactive exploration of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which was signed in 1848 and ended the Mexican-American War. Puts the treaty in context, makes reference to U.S. territorial gains, and includes links to larger images, a...
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Kansas Nebraska Act
An outstanding, interactive copy of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the legislation that repealed the Missouri Compromise. Historical context included, as well as links to larger images, a typed transcript, and a downloadable PDF file.
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)
A copy of the original Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 is available on this site. You can also link to larger images, a typed transcript, and a downloadable .PDF file. There is also a concise and informative history and background on the...
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Sherman Anti Trust Act (1890)
Available on this informative site is an interactive copy of the original Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890. You can also view larger images, a typed transcript, and download a .PDF file. Beneath the interactive image is a brief but...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Tennessee Valley Authority Act (1933)
An actual interactive copy of the original Tennessee Valley Authority Act that created cheap power in the Tennessee Valley. Links to larger images, a typed transcript, and a downloadable .PDF file are included on this site. Make sure to...
US National Archives
Our Documents: George Washington's Farewell Address
One of the top one hundred important documents in U.S. history, the original Farewell Address by President Washington can be viewed and studied at this site. An explanation of the text is also provided.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Thomas Edison's Patent Application for the Light Bulb
This resource includes a copy of the original diagram and application that Thomas Edison submitted for the electric light bulb. Along with the interactive pictures you can access a typed transcript, larger images, a downloadable .PDF...