US National Archives
Our Documents: Declaration of Independence (1776)
The Our Documents group provides a look at the original, signed Declaration of Independence as well as a print version distributed soon after the original was signed. View and learn about the document and its history. RI.9-10.9 US Documents
US National Archives
Our Documents: Dawes Act (1887)
Read about the development, purpose, and effect of the Dawes Act, which was also known as the General Allotment Act. This site has images of the original document.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Keating Owen Child Labor Act of 1916
This online resource provides the complete text and image of the original document of the Keating-Owen Child Labor Act of 1916 along with comprehensive document information. This act "limited the working hours of children and forbade the...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Learn about this landmark Supreme Court case on the issue of racial discrimination . Provides an image of a document from the case files and a transcript of the opinion delivered in 1896 by Justice Henry Brown "which sustained the...
US National Archives
Our Documents: National Industrial Recovery Act (1933)
Along with an image of the first page of the National Industrial Recovery Act is an excellent description of what it entailed and the high hopes of improving the economy its passing engendered. You can also read about the opposition to...
US National Archives
Our Documents: De Lome Letter (1898)
This site features an online facsimile of the letter written by the Spanish Ambassador to the United States in which he criticized American President William McKinley. Its publication generated public support for a war with Spain over...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Treaty of Paris (1783)
A wonderful interactive look at an original copy of the Treaty of Paris (1783). This treaty ended the Revolutionary War. Along with the original copy is a brief, informative paragraph. Also find links to larger images and downloadable...
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)
The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed by Congress in 1798 because of feared war with France. This engaging page gives you the opportunity to see a complete copy of the original document and also gives links to a typed transcript,...
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Louisiana Purchase Treaty (1803)
A fantastic site from the Our Documents group that allows visitors to see an original copy of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty of 1803. This treaty allowed the United States to purchase a tract of land west of the Mississippi River that was...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
An interactive exploration of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which was signed in 1848 and ended the Mexican-American War. Puts the treaty in context, makes reference to U.S. territorial gains, and includes links to larger images, a...
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)
A copy of the original Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 is available on this site. You can also link to larger images, a typed transcript, and a downloadable .PDF file. There is also a concise and informative history and background on the...
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Sherman Anti Trust Act (1890)
Available on this informative site is an interactive copy of the original Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890. You can also view larger images, a typed transcript, and download a .PDF file. Beneath the interactive image is a brief but...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Tennessee Valley Authority Act (1933)
An actual interactive copy of the original Tennessee Valley Authority Act that created cheap power in the Tennessee Valley. Links to larger images, a typed transcript, and a downloadable .PDF file are included on this site. Make sure to...
US National Archives
Our Documents: George Washington's Farewell Address
One of the top one hundred important documents in U.S. history, the original Farewell Address by President Washington can be viewed and studied at this site. An explanation of the text is also provided.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Thomas Edison's Patent Application for the Light Bulb
This resource includes a copy of the original diagram and application that Thomas Edison submitted for the electric light bulb. Along with the interactive pictures you can access a typed transcript, larger images, a downloadable .PDF...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Resolution to Annex Hawaii (1898)
This is a copy of the original Resolution for Annexation of Hawaii. There is also a copy of Queen Liliuokalani's official protest to the House of Representatives. Links to larger copies, a typed transcript and PDF download are also...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Treaty of Paris (1783)
Interactive image of the Treaty of Paris of 1783. Allows for downloads of the document as well as seeing large, clear scanned in images of the documents. Click on the Tools for Educators to find a wealth of teaching resources.
US National Archives
Our Documents: National Interstate and Defense Highways Act (1956)
This great resource gives the history of building interstate highways as far back as the Roosevelt administration. Find out why President Eisenhower thought a system of interstate highways was so important to the U.S. economy and defense.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Official Program for March on Washington(1963)
Contains a copy of the original program for the March on Washington that featured Martin Luther King. Provides a summary of the civil rights movement at that time.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Articles of Confederation (1777)
The Our Documents group presents information on the Articles of Confederation, including its history, an enlarged image of the document, and a printer-friendly version of the text. Includes PDFs (require Adobe Reader).
US National Archives
Our Documents: Check for the Purchase of Alaska (1868)
Interactive images of two documents important in Alaska's history: the check written for its 1868 purchase from Russia and the Russian Treaty of Cession (an English transcript is provided), which concluded the deal.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia (1865)
The document outlining the terms of surrender, agreed upon by Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, which ended the Civil War in 1865. Interactive image accompanied by background information and transcript.
US National Archives
Our Documents: War Dept General Order 143: Creation of Us Colored Troops (1863)
Original document that permitted the recruitment of black troops during the Civil War. Read about events and issues leading up to and following the 1863 establishment of the Bureau of Colored Troops.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Morrill Act (1862)
Primary document (and transcription) of Morrill Act, which provided land to states to use in the establishment of agricultural colleges.