America's Founding Documents | National Archives

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<h3>Explore the Documents</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/declaration/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">Declaration of Independence</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/constitution/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">Constitution of the United States</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/bill-of-rights/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">Bill of Rights</a></li> </ul> <h3>Special Features</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/downloads/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">High Resolution Downloads</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/join-the-signers?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">Sign the Declaration or Constitution</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/faulkner-murals/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">The Faulkner Murals</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/founding-fathers?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">Meet the Framers of the Constitution</a></li> </ul> <h3>Other Resources</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://visit.archives.gov/">Visit the National Archives</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/milestone-documents/list?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">View Other Milestone Documents</a></li> <li><a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://www.docsteach.org/topics/american-revolution" target="_blank">Browse Teaching Resources for the Revolutionary Era</a></li> <li><a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://civics.archives.gov/">Civics for All of US</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/exhibits/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">Explore Online Exhibits</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/research/catalog/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">Search the National Archives Catalog</a></li> <li><a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://founders.archives.gov/">Discover the Founders Online</a></li> <li><a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://www.nationalarchivesstore.org/collections/documents?utm_campaign%3D2019eStore%26utm_medium%3Dwebsite%26utm_source%3Dnara%26utm_content%3Dorganic" target="_blank">Shop the Archives Store</a></li> <li><a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://historyhub.history.gov/welcome">Ask a Question on History Hub</a></li> </ul> </nav> </aside> </nav> <div id="main-col" class="col-sm-10"> <p id="print-logo"><img src="/sites/all/themes/nara/images/nara-print-logo.jpg" alt="National Archives Logo"></p> <div class="region region-content"> <section id="block-system-main" class="block block-system clearfix"> <blockquote class="nwidget nquotation " data-additional-classes="" data-attribution="" data-quotation="These three documents, known collectively as the Charters of Freedom, have secured the rights of the American people for more than two and a quarter centuries and are considered instrumental to its founding and philosophy. " data-version="1"> <h3><em>These three documents, known collectively as the Charters of Freedom, have secured the rights of the American people for more than two and a quarter centuries and are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. </em></h3> </blockquote> <div class="nwidget nlayout ncolumns row make-eq" data-columns="3x1_3"> <div class="col-sm-4" style="padding-left:15px;"> <div class="nwidget ncontainer nlarge_box" data-additional-classes="" data-alt-tag="" data-image="" data-title="Declaration of Independence" data-version="1"> <div class="panel panel-default box box-lg clearfix "> <div class="panel-heading"> <h2>Declaration of Independence</h2> </div> <div class="panel-body"> <div class="box-content"> <a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/declaration?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB"><img alt="Declaration of Independence" class="border-thin" src="/files/founding-docs/declaration-home-cropped.jpg"></a> <a class="btn btn-default active space-below" href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/declaration?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB" role="button">Learn More</a> <p>The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for separation from Great Britain.</p> <h5><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/declaration-transcript?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB"><strong>Read a Transcript</strong></a></h5> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-4"> <div class="nwidget ncontainer nlarge_box" data-additional-classes="" data-alt-tag="" data-image="" data-title="Constitution" data-version="1"> <div class="panel panel-default box box-lg clearfix "> <div class="panel-heading"> <h2>Constitution</h2> </div> <div class="panel-body"> <div class="box-content"> <a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/constitution?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB"><img alt="Constitution of the United States" class="border-thin" src="/files/founding-docs/constitution-home-cropped.jpg"></a> <a class="btn btn-default active space-below" href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/constitution?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB" role="button">Learn More</a> <p>The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States.</p> <h5><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/constitution-transcript?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB"><strong>Read a Transcript</strong></a> </h5> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-4" style="padding-right:15px;"> <div class="nwidget ncontainer nlarge_box" data-additional-classes="" data-alt-tag="" data-image="" data-title="Bill of Rights" data-version="1"> <div class="panel panel-default box box-lg clearfix "> <div class="panel-heading"> <h2>Bill of Rights</h2> </div> <div class="panel-body"> <div class="box-content"> <a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/bill-of-rights?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB"><img alt="Bill of Rights" class="border-thin" src="/files/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-crop.jpg"></a> <a class="btn btn-default active space-below" href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/bill-of-rights?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB" role="button">Learn More</a> <p>The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. It defines citizens’ and states’ rights in relation to the Government.</p> <h5><strong><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">Read a Transcript </a></strong></h5> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <center> <h2><a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://www.nationalarchivesstore.org/?utm_campaign%3D2019eStore%26utm_medium%3Dwebsite%26utm_source%3Dnara%26utm_content%3Dorganic" target="_self"><font color="a71b1b">Shop the Archives Store</font></a></h2> </center> <div class="nwidget nlayout ncolumns row make-eq" data-columns="3x1_3"> <div class="col-sm-4"> <div class="nwidget ncontainer nmedium_box" data-additional-classes="" data-alt-tag="Charters of Freedom Book " data-description="This spectacular book written by Alice Kamps, Curator at the National Archives, showcases the National Archives' renovated Rotunda, the newly re-encased Charters of Freedom, and more. " data-image="/files/founding-docs/images/charters-book.jpg" data-link="https://www.nationalarchivesstore.org/products/the-charters-of-freedom-book?utm_campaign=2019eStore&utm_medium=website&utm_source=nara&utm_content=organic" data-title="Charters of Freedom Book " data-version="1"> <div class="box box-md clearfix "> <a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://www.nationalarchivesstore.org/collections/books/products/charters-of-freedom-pb-106605"> <div class="box-image"> <img alt="Charters of Freedom Book " src="/files/founding-docs/images/charters-book.jpg"> </div> <div class="box-content"> <h2>Charters of Freedom Book</h2> <p>This spectacular book written by Alice Kamps, Curator at the National Archives, showcases the National Archives' renovated Rotunda, the newly re-encased Charters of Freedom, and more. </p> </div></a> </div> </div> <p> </p> </div> <div class="col-sm-4"> <div class="nwidget ncontainer nmedium_box" data-additional-classes="" data-alt-tag="Facsimiles of the Charters of Freedom" data-description="Elegant facsimiles on parchment paper are perfect for educational purposes or to decorate your home or office." data-image="/files/founding-docs/images/charters-bundle.jpg" data-link="https://www.nationalarchivesstore.org/collections/documents?utm_campaign=2019eStore&utm_medium=website&utm_source=nara&utm_content=organic " data-title="Historic Facsimiles" data-version="1"> <div class="box box-md clearfix "> <a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://www.nationalarchivesstore.org/collections/documents?utm_campaign%3D2019eStore%26utm_medium%3Dwebsite%26utm_source%3Dnara%26utm_content%3Dorganic"> <div class="box-image"> <img alt="Facsimiles of the Charters of Freedom" src="/files/founding-docs/images/charters-bundle.jpg"> </div> <div class="box-content"> <h2>Historic Facsimiles</h2> <p>Elegant facsimiles on parchment paper are perfect for educational purposes or to decorate your home or office.</p> </div></a> </div> </div> <p> </p> </div> <div class="col-sm-4"> <div class="nwidget ncontainer nmedium_box" data-additional-classes="" data-alt-tag="Framed Documents" data-description="For the patriot and lover of our nation's history, get our founding documents framed and in your home." data-image="/files/founding-docs/images/framed-docs.jpg" data-link="https://www.nationalarchivesstore.org/collections/framed-charters-of-freedom?utm_campaign=2019eStore&utm_medium=website&utm_source=nara&utm_content=organic" data-title="Framed Documents" data-version="1"> <div class="box box-md clearfix "> <a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://www.nationalarchivesstore.org/collections/framed-prints-and-documents"> <div class="box-image"> <img alt="Framed Documents" src="/files/founding-docs/images/framed-docs.jpg"> </div> <div class="box-content"> <h2>Framed Documents</h2> <p>For the patriot and lover of our nation's history, get our founding documents framed and in your home.</p> </div></a> </div> </div> <p> </p> </div> </div> <center> <h2><a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://museum.archives.gov/founding-documents" target="_self"><font color="a71b1b">Visit the Charters of Freedom</font></a></h2> </center> <div class="nwidget nlayout ncolumns row " data-columns="1_4.3_4"> <div class="col-sm-3"> <h4><a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://museum.archives.gov/founding-documents" target=""><img alt="Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom" src="/files/founding-docs/images/rotunda-20150219-01-021-300.jpg" style="width: 100%;"></a></h4> <p> </p> </div> <h4><a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://museum.archives.gov/founding-documents" target="_self">The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom</a></h4> <p>Located on the upper level of the <a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://museum.archives.gov">National Archives museum</a>, the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom is the permanent home of the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights.</p> <p>Designed by architect John Russell Pope as a shrine to American democracy, the ornate Rotunda with its soaring domed ceiling also features two murals by Barry Faulkner, depicting fictional scenes of the “presentations” of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.</p> </div> <center> <h2><a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://founders.archives.gov/" target="_self"><font color="a71b1b">Explore the Founders Online</font></a></h2> </center> <div class="nwidget nlayout ncolumns row " data-columns="1_4.3_4"> <div class="col-sm-3"> <h4><a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://founders.archives.gov/" target="_blank"><img alt="Founders Online" src="/files/founding-docs/images/founders-online-crop2-300.png" style="width: 100%;"></a></h4> <p> </p> </div> <h4><a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://founders.archives.gov/" target="_self">Founders Online</a></h4> <p>Through Founders Online, you can read and search through thousands of documents and records to and from George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison and see firsthand the growth of democracy and the birth of the Republic.  Their letters and journals are a kind of "first draft" of the Charters of Freedom.</p> </div> <p> </p> <div class="nwidget nlayout ncolumns row make-eq" data-columns="4x1_4"> <div class="col-sm-3" style="padding-left:15px;"> <div class="nwidget nimagebutton" data-additional-classes="" data-image="download" data-link="/founding-docs/downloads" data-title="High Resolution Downloads"> <a class="buttonLink download " href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/downloads?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB"><span>High Resolution Downloads</span></a> </div> <p> </p> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="nwidget nimagebutton" data-additional-classes="" data-image="declaration-signers" data-link="/founding-docs/join-the-signers" data-title="Sign the Declaration or Constitution"> <a class="buttonLink declaration-signers " href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/join-the-signers?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB"><span>Sign the Declaration or Constitution</span></a> </div> <p> </p> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="nwidget nimagebutton" data-additional-classes="" data-image="faulkner-murals" data-link="/founding-docs/faulkner-murals" data-title="The Faulkner Murals"> <a class="buttonLink faulkner-murals " href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/faulkner-murals?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB"><span>The Faulkner Murals</span></a> </div> <p> </p> </div> <div class="col-sm-3" style="padding-right:15px;"> <div class="nwidget nimagebutton" data-additional-classes="" data-image="rotunda" data-link="https://museum.archives.gov" data-title="Visit the Founding Documents"> <a class="buttonLink rotunda " href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=https://museum.archives.gov"><span>Visit the Founding Documents</span></a> </div> <p> </p> </div> </div> <p> </p> <center> <h2><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/milestone-documents/list?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB"><font color="a71b1b">View Other Milestone Documents</font></a></h2> </center> <div class="nwidget nlayout ncolumns row " data-columns="1_4.3_4"> <div class="col-sm-3"> <h4><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/milestone-documents/list?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB" target=""><img alt="Great Seal" src="/files/milestone-documents/images/great-seal-docteach-snippet.jpg" style="width: 100%;"></a></h4> <p> </p> </div> <h4><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/milestone-documents/list?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">Milestone Documents</a></h4> <p>Milestone documents are primary source documents that highlight pivotal moments in the course of American history or government. They are some of the most-viewed and sought-out documents in the holdings of the National Archives.</p> </div> <center>   </center> </section> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <footer id="page-footer"> <div class="clearfix row last-update-wrapper "> <p id="last-update"><span class="glyphicon glyphicon-edit"></span> This page was last reviewed on June 5, 2023.<br><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/contact?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">Contact us with questions or comments</a>.</p> </div> <section id="mega-footer" class="clearfix panel-group"> <h2 class="footer-title">Founding Documents</h2> <div class="mega-col panel panel-default"> <div class="panel-heading"> <h2><a data-target="#explore">Explore the Documents</a></h2> </div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/declaration/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">Declaration of Independence</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/constitution/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">Constitution of the United States</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/bill-of-rights/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">Bill of Rights</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="mega-col panel panel-default"> <div class="panel-heading"> <h2><a data-target="#features">Special Features</a></h2> </div> <div class="panel-collapse" id="features"> <ul> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/downloads/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">High Resolution Downloads</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/exhibits/charters/declaration_sign.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB" target="_blank">Sign the Declaration</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/faulkner-murals/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">The Faulkner Murals</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/founding-docs/founding-fathers?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">Meet the Framers of the Constitution</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="mega-col panel panel-default"> <div class="panel-heading"> <h2><a data-target="#resources">Other Resources</a></h2> </div> <div class="panel-collapse" id="resources"> <ul> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/dc-metro/visit/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">Plan Your Visit to the Archives</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-archives-gov.translate.goog/milestone-documents/list?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB">View Other Milestone Documents</a></li> <li><a href="https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en-GB&u=http://docsteach.org/activities/search?mode%3Dbrowse%26menu%3Dopen%26era%5B%5D%3Drevolution-and-the-new-nation">Browse Revolutionary Era Classroom Activities</a></li> <li><a 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