Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday!
19 items
John Dickinson, Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, 1767–1768
Activity
Activity
40 Min
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Benjamin Franklin and the First Abolitionist Petitions
Essay - 2197 Words
Essay
2197 Words
How did Benjamin Franklin fight for the abolition of slavery?
“The Bloody Massacre in King-Street:” Paul Revere, the Boston Massacre, and Crispus Attucks
Video
Video
5 Min
What does Paul Revere’s engraving of the Boston Massacre tell us about the beginnings of the American Revolution? In this episode of BRIdge from the Past, Mary explores the Boston Massacre engraving by Paul Revere and the "Crispus Attucks" painting by Herschel Levit. Both sources depict the clash between British soldiers and American colonists in March of 1770 that acted as a catalyst for the start of the Revolutionary War. What additional context can we gain by examining the painting of "Crispus Attucks" alongside the engraving by Paul Revere?
BRIdge Boston Massacre Handout: https://bri-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/BRIdge+Boston+Massacre+Handout.pdf
5 Min
Tony Williams: The Boston Massacre & Justice |
BRI Scholar Talks
Video
Video
26 Min
BRI Senior Program Education Specialist Mary Patterson sits down with BRI Senior Teaching Fellow
Tony Williams to talk aboutthe tumultuous rebellion against tyranny that led to the dramatic events
of the Boston Massacre. They examine the role of propaganda in the patriot movement and the
constitutional principles of justice and rule of law in the trial of the British soldiers due to the
courageous moral stand of their defense attorney, John Adams, for a fair trial.
26 Min
The Boston Massacre
Essay - 2367 Words
Essay
2367 Words
How did the Boston Massacre impact the American colonies?
Excerpted Primary Source: Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress, October 14, 1774
Activity
Activity
An excerpted version of the text of this source with questions that guide students in understanding the effect of Parliaments actions on the Colonists.
The Boston Tea Party
Essay - 2731 Words
Essay
2731 Words
What does "no taxation without representation" mean?
The Boston Tea Party at 250
Video
Video
23 Min
On the Boston Tea Party 250th anniversary, why is the event still so important in the minds of American citizens? In this Boston Tea Party summary, Tony and Josh dive into the events during the lead up to the Tea Party as well as the British response to it. As we approach the 250 anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, BRI will continue to release important materials on the events that helped shape American attitudes around self-government, liberty, and natural rights that ultimately led to our independence.
23 Min
Primary Sources: Petition to the King, July 8, 1775 and Olive Branch Petition, July 5, 1775
Activity
Activity
Excerpted versions of the texts of these source with questions that guide students in understanding the effect of Parliaments actions on the Colonists.
The Declaration and Resolves, Explained! | The Road to The Revolutionary War
Video
Video
19 Min
What events caused rising tensions between the North American colonies and British Parliament before 1776? In this episode of BRI’s Primary Source Close Reads, Kirk examines the Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress and the debate on how the colonists should confront the barrage of parliamentary acts placed upon them. What challenges had to be overcome in the confrontation of the British Parliament? What solutions came from this declaration and what results followed it?
19 Min
Primary Source: The Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, July 6, 1775 (excerpts)
Activity
Activity
An excerpted version of the text of this source that guides students in their understanding.
A Tale of Two Georges: Exploring Portraits of George III
and George Washington | BRIdge to the Past
Video
Video
21 Min
This week, Mary brings Gary on to compare the portraits of the famous two
Georges of early American history, George Washington and King George III
of England. They'll explore the reasons behind each man's deliberately chosen
outfits and stances. What do these paintings convey about the leaders'
confidence and leadership against the backdrop of the Revolutionary War?
And what unlikely similarities between the two men do these paintings reveal?
21 Min
Handout C: In His Own Words: John Hancock on the Anniversary of the Boston Massacre
Activity
Activity
15 Min
Declaration of Independence | Primary Source Essentials
Video
Video
2 Min
How does the Declaration of Independence support the principles of individual liberty and self-government? In this rapid-fire episode of BRI’s Primary Source Essentials and Declaration of Independence summary, learn the arguments made by the American colonists as they sought to free themselves of British control.
2 Min
The Declaration of Independence Explained | A Primary Source Close Read w/ BRI
Video
Video
13 Min
What was the Continental Congress's argument for Independence? Join Kirk Higgins, as he takes a line by line look at the the Declaration of Independence.
13 Min