Other
John Hancock, a Biographical Sketch
A biography of John Hancock, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
PBS
Pbs: Theory of the American Founding, Part 3: Why Equal Protection of the Law?
A lesson that helps students examine the Declaration of Independence and other excerpted historical writings in relation to the ideas of human equality and equal protection under the law.
EL Education
El Education: And Justice for All
Students in 11th grade at Tapestry Charter High School created this project during a trimester-long study of constitutional rights and social justice in American history. The learning expedition centered around the question of whether...
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: John Hancock
Overview and biographical facts on the life of John Hancock, patriot and leader of the Sons of Liberty. The signature of John Hancock was the first to be added to the Declaration of Independence.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Benjamin Franklin
Overview and biographical facts on the life of Benjamin Franklin, an inventor, scientist, and Founding Father who helped draw up the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Curated OER
Writing the Declaration of Independence, 1776
Thomas Jefferson had the task of writing the Declaration of Independence amongst the tense climate of the Revolutionary War. This site by EyeWitness to History details information surrounding the writing of this great document.
Curated OER
Web Gallery of Art: Declaration of Independence
An image of "Declaration of Independence", created by John Trumbull from 1817-19 (Oil on canvas, 366 x 549 cm).
Curated OER
Social Studies for Kids: The Declaration of Independence: Cry for Freedom
An overview of events leading to the Declaration of Independence with direct links, to biographies on significant people, and events mentioned in the text. This site also includes a link to the text of the document.
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Button Gwinnett
The New Georgia Encyclopedia presents information on the life of Button Gwinnett, one of three Georgia signers of the U. S. Declaration of Independence. It includes brief information on the duel that ended his life and on the great value...
A&E Television
History.com: Continental Congress
From 1774 to 1789, the Continental Congress served as the government of the 13 American colonies and later the United States. The First Continental Congress, which was comprised of delegates from the colonies, met in 1774 in reaction to...
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Anglo Amer. Colonization in Texas: Texas 1836 1848
A brief look at the declaration of independence from Mexico by Texas in 1836, the removal of restrictions on slavery, and how this dramatically increased the population and led to a much greater reliance on the cotton industry in the...
Other
Left Justified: Founding Fathers
Biographical accounts of fifty men who played a wide variety of roles in bringing about America's break with Great Britain, and in the creation of the documents and plans that created the new nation, like the Declaration of Independence,...
History of American Wars
History of American Wars: Revolutionary War Timeline
A timeline showing the events leading up to the Revolutionary War, beginning with unpopular legislation implemented under British rule. It follows with the reaction of the American colonists and continues in a cause and effect manner...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Revolutionary Changes and Limitations: Slavery
See how the conflicting ideas of land ownership and person ownership flew in the face of the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the ideals of the Revolutionary War.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was the die cast into the river of Revolution. Read about the decisions made and the actions taken in preparation for declaring independence.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: John Adams
Short, overweight, and quick-tongued, John Adams hardly fits the model of the typical Founder. But Adams's contributions to American independence and the formation of the United States government were great. Adams penned defenses of...
Other
Dharma Universe: 1971 India Pakistan War
This site from freeindia.org contains an explanation and analysis of the Bangladesh Independence in 1971. Has pictures, audio, and lots and lots of information.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: David Gouverneur Burnet 1788 1870
An interesting profile of David G. Burnet, who fought for Texas independence from Mexico and served many political offices in Texas. Links to additional information on Texas history.
Curated OER
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 the writing of this major document in U.S. history.
Curated OER
Etc: Maps Etc: Accessions to the Principal of Independence, 1776
A map of the Thirteen Colonies color-coded to show the accessions to the principal of Independence before July 2, 1776. The map shows when the colonial delegates to the Continental Congress were instructed to vote on the Declaration of...
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: William Blackstone (1723 1780)
A thorough biography of Sir William Blackstone. Blackstone is a recognized lawyer born in England and played an integral part of the development of the common law legal system in the United States during the Revolutionary War, and the...
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.
Discovering Lewis & Clark
Discovering Lewis & Clark: Benjamin Rush, m.d.
Learn detailed information about the life and education of Dr. Benjamin Rush who advised Lewis on how to keep his men healthy and what questions to ask to determine the health practices of the Indians he would encounter. Rush was also 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.