Resources for parents, teachers, and Students

Whether you are a teacher, a parent, a student or just a curious American, it is important that each of us has an understanding of our country’s history, the principles that impelled our Founders to fight a war to achieve independence from Great Britain, and the philosophy underlying the constitutional form of government created by the Constitution.

Fortunately, due to modern technology, vast amounts of information from our past, including the original letters, diaries, meeting notes, pamphlets and other writings, are available to us to read in the comfort of our homes on a computer and at no cost. It also means that, as citizens, we have no excuse to be ignorant of the knowledge required to sustain our government “of the people, by the people and for the people.”

Thomas Jefferson warned that “if a nation expects to be ignorant and free…it expects what never was and never will be.” 

The links below will take you to only a small fraction of what is available online to learn about our history, often from different points of view, but learning a little every day, teaching your children, and encouraging your friends will make you a more effective citizen as we continue on our shared journey to “a more perfect union”.

American Battlefield Trust

American Revolution Facts  

American Battlefield Trust

Timeline of the American Revolution 

American revolution museum

Timeline of the American Revolution 

American Battlefield Trust

Revolutionary War Biographies

American Battlefield Trust

Women in the American Revolution   

American revolution museum

Roles of Native Americans During the Revolution

American Battlefield Trust

Winter at Valley Forge

American Battlefield Trust

The Case for Independence   

The American Founding

Fascinating Facts About the Declaration of Independence

American Battlefield Trust

The Continental Congress

One of nearly 150 four-minute videos covering all aspects of the Revolutionary War and the Founding.

This is the story of the American Founding as it unfolded in four chapters. Each chapter is made up of a section of narrative commentary, original documents, and additional resources. 1. The Case For Independence  2. Constitutional Convention  3. Debate and Ratification  4. Bill of Rights

The First Continental Congress

Act 1: Introduction

The Second Continental Congress

Act II : Introduction

The Declaration of Independence 

Act III : Introduction

The Colonial and Revolutionary War Period

Early America Videos

Short (2-3 minutes) on a wide range of topics from life in early America (including clothing and dugout canoes) to stories of women, slave spies and Native Americans

The Revolutionary War – Study With Primary Sources

A range of Revolutionary War topics, including the Iroquois Council, Quakers, starving soldiers and a struggling farm wife.

A Revolutionary Time Capsule 

The Samuel Adams and Paul Revere Time Capsule, also known as The Massachusetts State House Time Capsule is a time capsule located in a cornerstone of the Massachusetts State House. It is widely believed to have been buried in 1795 by then-Governor Samuel Adams and Paul Revere. It is the oldest known time capsule in the United States

Timeline of American History

Revolutionary War Guide and Lessons 

History Source

The Massachusetts Historical Society makes available lessons about the Revolutionary Period, including stories about Abigail Adams, the opium trade, emancipation in the 18th century and more.

Fascinating Facts About the Articles of Confederation 

The Storm Before the Constitution 

Biographies

Founding Fathers and Mothers

Constitution Facts

Fascinating Facts About the Founding Fathers    

Constitution Facts

The Founders’ Library 

YouTube

George Washington: Commander-in-Chief   

Mount Vernon

The Papers of George Washington 

Constitution Source

Alexander Hamilton – Primary Sources    

Massachusetts History

Adams Family Papers 

Jack Miller Center

Benjamin Franklin     

Massachusetts History

Thomas Jefferson Papers 

Monticello

Thomas Jefferson

Monticello

Thomas Jefferson Lesson Plans  

Monticello

Jefferson Documents & Quotes

Montpelier

James Madison, Father of the Constitution

The Constitution

Introduction to the Constitutional Convention 

The American Founding – A Project of the Ashbrook Center

Teaching American History .org

Lesson Plans – The Constitution

Built on an archive of more than 70,000 primary source documents from the Founding era, CSAC has created lesson plans to facilitate the use of these documents in classrooms. These lesson plans are suggestions. Some modification may be necessary based on grade level and classroom considerations.

The Constitutional Convention: Act I, The Alternative Plans 

The Constitutional Convention: Act II, The Connecticut Compromise

The Constitutional Convention: Act III, The Committee of Detail Report 

90-Day Studies Online

More than 1,300 essays constitute an online 90-Day Studies  series and multiple topics  such as The Federalist Papers; The Constitution; The Amendments; The Classics That Inspired the Constitution; Presidential Elections in History; The Executive Branch; The Congress; The Supreme Court, and much more!

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We encourage organizations, businesses, families, and individuals to join us in this historic celebration.

Together, we can honor our past, understand our present, and shape our future

Your financial support will enable us to develop and host educational programs, community events, and much more.

Every contribution helps us bring this celebration to life and reach more people.

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