Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1789, "Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government."
In studying the history of the United States, it is important to go back to primary source material. We have gathered in one convenient location, some of the key documents that all well-informed citizens of the United States would want to be familiar with.
Magna Carta 1215
Columbus Letter Announcing His Discovery 1493
The Mayflower Compact 1620
Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges 1701
Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death Patrick Henry, 1775
The Declaration of Independence 1776
Articles of Confederation 1777
Constitution of the United States ratified 1788
Bill of Rights and the Later Amendments
Petition from the Pa. Society for the Abolition of Slavery 1790
Washington's Farewell Address 1796
The Star Spangled Banner 1814
The Monroe Doctrine 1823
Lincoln's First Inaugural Address 1861
The Emancipation Proclamation 1863
The Gettysburg Address 1863
The Pledge of Allegiance 1892
The American's Creed 1918
http://www.ushistory.org/documents/
