+
Primary
Yale University

The Avalon Project: The English Bill of Rights 1689

For Students 9th - 10th
An electronic version of the original English Bill of Rights, written in 1689, which influenced the writings of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, and laid the basis for American Democracy and common law.
+
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Benjamin Franklin teaches kids from kindergarten through 12th grade all about the Federal Government.
+
Handout
National Wildlife Federation

National Wildlife Federation: Bald Eagle

For Students 9th - 10th
Did you know that Benjamin Franklin hated the idea of an eagle as the symbol of America? Find out his choice which is actually pretty funny! Meanwhile, learn all about the great bald eagle...from physical features, habitat, mating,...
+
Website
University of Pennsylvania

Univ. Of Pennsylvania: History of the University of Pennsylvania

For Students 9th - 10th
From the University founded by Benjamin Franklin comes an excellent historical site that provides brief histories as well as special topics in Penn history and biographies of distinguished men and women of Penn.
+
Activity
Franklin and Marshall College

Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary: The Autobiography Project

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Part of a project that culminated in 2006, this site contains great supports for those who are attempting to write about their own lives. Getting started, writing drafts, revising and other topics are all addressed.
+
Graphic
Curated OER

Thomas Jefferson (1743 1826) to William Smith (1727 1803), February 19, 1791

For Students 9th - 10th
This extensive exhibition offers observations on various facets of Franklin's life, as well as his writing and other accomplishments.
+
Primary
American Presidency Project

American Presidency Project: State of the Union Addresses and Messages

For Students 9th - 10th
This site compiles all of the State of the Union addresses and messages by all the presidents in U.S. history (except William Henry Harrison and James A. Garfield).
+
Article
Other

A Primer on the History of American Juggling: What Was Vaudeville, Anyway?

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a great history of Vaudeville, including a discussion of how it became so immensely popular in this article from Juggler's World.
+
Website
University of Iowa

The Keith/albee Collection: The Vaudeville Industry, 1894 1935

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about the vaudeville circuit of Albee and Keith from the manager reports, play bills, and trade newspapers included in this collection from the University of Iowa.
+
Handout
Other

Kingwood Library: American Cultural History: 1940 1949

For Students 9th - 10th
Take a walk through this part of American history surrounding World War II. Each section includes cultural history of the time, with links pertaining to art and architecture, books and literature, education, fads and fashion, historic...
+
Primary
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Electrifying America

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This collection of primary sources explores the introduction of electric power to the United States.
+
Graphic
Curated OER

Smithsonian Education: Spotlight Biography Inventors

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides information on American inventors Benjamin Franklin, Robert Fulton, Eli Whitney, Thomas Jefferson, Isaac Singer, Wilbur Wright, Thomas Alva Edison, Elias Howe, and Alexander Graham Bell. It offers pictures from and...
+
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Franco American Alliance

For Students 9th - 10th
In France, enthusiasm for the American cause was high: the French intellectual world was itself in revolt against feudalism and privilege. However, the Crown lent its support to the colonies for geopolitical rather than ideological...
+
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: Henry Carey 1793 1879

For Students 9th - 10th
Henry Carey was the eldest son of Mathew Carey, an Irish freedom fighter who was recruited to the intelligence networks established by Benjamin Franklin, and sent to Philadelphia to run what was then the largest printing operation in...
+
Primary
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Early American Trade With China: Europe's Economic Tradition [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Most well-educated American colonists (including early American leaders like Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin) were familiar with the writings andideas of European scholars, so it makes sense that Americans came to...
+
Lesson Plan
Writing Fix

Writing Fix: Now & Then

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Inspired by Gene Barretta's Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin this fantastic cross-curricular activity has students comparing or contrasting a particular topic of history with how things are in this day and age.
+
Primary
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee brought what came to be called the Lee Resolution before the Continental Congress. This resolution stated "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states " Congress...
+
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: History of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum

For Students 9th - 10th
Audio and video presentation on the history of the national postal delivery system that started in 1775 with the appointment of Benjamin Franklin as Postmaster General. [3:14] Also provides the history of the National Postal Museum in...
+
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Beginnings of Revolutionary Thinking: Impact of Enlightenment

For Students 6th - 8th
The ideas of the Enlightenment began in Europe, but they were acted upon in the American colonies. See how the philosophies of John Locke and Rousseau influenced the thoughts and actions of Puritan clergy and political figures like...
+
Website
Bibliomania

Bibliomania: Simonds History of American Literature

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site presents the full text of the "Simonds History of American Literature." This detailed reference book explores the literature in early colonial times, the eighteenth century, the beginning of the nineteenth century, the New...
+
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Predicaments of Early Republican Life

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Primary resource material focusses on predicaments in early American history. Students read primary source text to answer questions surrounding the nature of society following the American Revolution, learning about the hopes and fears...
+
Website
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: American Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of Fordham University's Internet Modern History Sourcebook, this site gives historical background and extensive web resources on American Independence.
+
Activity
PBS

Pbs: Timeline of the Revolution

For Students 9th - 10th
A timeline beginning at the ascension of King George of England in 1760 and ending at the passing of the US Bill of Rights, is brief but informative. A Revolutionary War game, as well as other educational sites are available.
+
Article
PBS

Pbs Liberty!: Independence! Philadelphia 1776

For Students 6th - 8th
The newspaper layout makes it simple to read the accounts of the reaction to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The article includes valuable links including an introduction to Thomas Paine and his role in this event.

Other popular searches