Bill of Rights Institute

  • ENGAGE for students
    • Student Programs & Events
      • Spring Programs
      • Summer Programs
      • Fall Programs
    • Student Resources
      • Think the Vote
      • Homework Help
      • APUSH
      • Debate Webinars
      • AP Prep Webinars
    • Primary Sources
    • Constitutional Academy
    • We The Students Essay Competition
  • EDUCATE for teachers
    • Educator Programs & Events
      • Spring Programs
      • Summer Programs
      • Fall Programs
      • Educator Webinars
    • Educator Resources
      • Documents of Freedom
      • Voices of History
      • Current Events & eLessons
      • Primary Sources
      • Book Recommendations
    • Constitution Day 2018
    • Resources for Students
      • Think the Vote
      • Homework Help
      • APUSH
    • Update Your BRI Profile
  • EMPOWER for supporters
    • Parent Resources
    • Donate
      • Donate Now
      • Donate FAQ
    • Ways to Give
      • In-Kind Donations
      • Legacy
      • Stock Transfers
    • Become a Sustaining Member
    • Investor Corporations & Foundations
  • Donate
Sign In / Register

Founding Documents and Resources

Home / Founding Documents and Resources
More
  • Declaration of Independence
  • Constitution
  • Bill of Rights
  • Additional Amendments
  • Primary Source Documents
  • Constitutional Principles
  • Founders’ Quotes
  • Founding Principles

The founding documents are the true primary sources of America.

Writings such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and others written from 1764 to 1791, showcase the philosophical, traditional, and political foundations on which our nation was built and that continue to shape our free society.

Reading about the founding documents in textbooks, journal articles, or other secondary sources can help us understand and appreciate what they say, but reading them yourself is the best way to understand the purpose of our national government, the liberties we enjoy, and how those liberties affect and shape our free society.

Explore the founding documents and the accompanying explanatory resources to broaden your knowledge about the birth of our nation. 

Declaration of Independence

Constitution

Bill of Rights

Additional Amendments

Primary Source Documents

Constitutional Principles

Founders’ Quotes

Founding Principles

Constitutional Principles Videos

America’s Founders Online

Civil Disobedience

Pocket Constitution Request

https://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/

1310 North Courthouse Rd. #620 Arlington, VA 22201

703.894.1776

info@billofrightsinstitute.org

© 2019 Bill of Rights Institute

PRIVACY POLICY

  • About Us
  • Statement of Academic Integrity
  • Join Our Team
  • Request Professional Development

Connect with BRI