Founding Documents of the United States

The Founding documents are the true primary sources of America.

These important documents, which include the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and others written between 1764 and 1791, showcase the philosophical, traditional, and political foundations on which our nation was built and which continue to shape our free society.

Although reading about the Founding documents (in textbooks, journal articles, or other secondary sources) is important, reading the Founding documents themselves is the best way to understand the purpose of our national government, the liberties we enjoy, and how those liberties continue to affect and shape our free society.