U.S. Founding Documents

This gallery highlights resources designed to enhance study of a few significant primary source documents from American history.

  • The Constitution

    Constitution

    Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the U.S. Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of government.

  • Declaration of Independence

    Declaration of Independence

    Independence Day, also known as "the Fourth of July," celebrates our Declaration of Independence from the British Empire in 1776.

  • Bill of Rights

    Bill of Rights

    The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights which guarantee essential rights and liberties, were ratified in 1791.

  • Federalist Papers

    Federalist Papers

    "Written in favour of the New Constitution" (in 1787 and 1788), the Federalist Papers explores how the American government might operate.