Other
Biographies: Thomas Paine
Detailed biography of the American revolutionary writer and thinker Thomas Paine. Includes discussion of the influence of his writing on international affairs.
![Pbs: Independence Day [Pdf] PPT](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Pbs: Independence Day [Pdf] PPT")
PBS
Pbs: Independence Day [Pdf]
Picnics, fireworks, and parades are what we think of when someone says Fourth of July. This day became a federal holiday in 1941 so Americans could take a day to celebrate our independence. View the following slideshow that summarizes...
Quia
Quia: Key Events of the Revolutionary War
Put the Revolutionary war events in sequential order in this interactive activity.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The Declaration of Independence
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.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Symbols of u.s. Govt.: The Liberty Bell (K 2)
Did you ever wonder why a large bell, known as The Liberty Bell, is so important in U.S. history? Use this site to learn about this great symbol of our country.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Madison
The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia provides an extensive biography on the life of James Madison. Provides information about his life before and after the presidency as well as his policies on foreign and domestic...
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: Politics in Colonial Virginia
This site explores the politics involved in Colonial Williamsburg, leading up to the American Revolution. Content focuses on famous speeches, documents, and influential people.
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,...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Intolerable Acts
Find the response by the British Parliament to the dumping of tea into Boston Harbor. So many laws were enacted that the colonists lumped them together and called them the Intolerable Acts.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Supreme Court Justices: John Jay
A biography of the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and author of some of the Federalist Papers.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Boston Patriots
Read about five famous Boston patriots who played a large role in the events prior to the American Revolution and the Revolution itself.
Black Past
Black Past: Fraunces Tavern
An encyclopedia article about the role of the Fraunces Tavern, owned by the black merchant, Samuel Fraunces, before, during, and after the Revolutionary War.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Declaration of Independence
The idea behind the Declaration of Independence and the process of writing it involved a great deal of thought and hand-wringing. Read about the three separate parts of the declaration, and the audiences for which the document was aimed.
Other
Karpeles Manuscript Library: The Olive Branch Petition
Gives analysis of the Olive Branch Petition and interactive views of each page of the document. Take a look at the original petition and learn about what it was for.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Winning the American Revolution
An unconventional, myth-busting history of the American Revolution from the Declaration of Independence to victory and the Treaty of Paris, 1783.
Other
The Architect of the Capitol: Roger Sherman
This resource from the Architect of the Capitol is a government site that focuses on art and architecture in the U.S. Capitol. Features a picture of a marble statue of Sherman.
PBS
Citizen Ben: Founding Father
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.
Digital History
Digital History: Articles of Confederation
A good look at the government under the Articles of Confederation. See what powers the central government had, the powers of the state governments, and discover the problems that ensued.
A&E Television
History.com: Revolutionary War Timeline
The Revolutionary War was an insurrection by American Patriots in the 13 colonies to British rule, resulting in American independence.
Other
Potus: James Monroe
Comprehensive facts about James Monroe and his presidency. Includes biography, election results, cabinet members, odd facts, and notable events.
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: Declaration of Independence
Describes the meeting of the Continental Congress during which the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Links to famous people present at the meeting.
Other
Us flag.org: Evolution of the United States Flag
This is a guide to the evolution of the United States flag. It contains a timeline from 1777 when the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act to the Executive Order of President Eisenhower in 1959.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Dutch Declaration of Independence, 1581
This site from Fordham University provides the first Declaration in modern times which Jefferson read and used as a model for writing the Declaration of Independence - the Dutch Revolution encouraged the Continental Congress to act. Read...
Library of Congress
Loc: Incorporating the Western Territory
A discussion of the process the congress went through in determining what would happen to the territory west of the original thirteen states. Read the final provisions of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.