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An engraving titled The Federalist Pillars. Six pillars are shown representing states, with the sixth pillar falling over. Below the pillars reads United they stand - divided fall.

Independence Day

6 items

Declaration of Independence
Primary Source - 1801 Words

Primary Source

1801 Words

On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee brought what came to be called the Lee Resolution before the Continental Congress. This resolution stated “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states ...” Congress debated independence for several days.
An engraving titled The Federalist Pillars. Six pillars are shown representing states, with the sixth pillar falling over. Below the pillars reads United they stand - divided fall.
The Path to Independence
Lesson

Lesson

90 Min

Use this lesson after students have read the Stamp Act Resistance Narrative, The Boston Massacre Narrative, and The Boston Tea Party Narrative. This lesson should be followed by the Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence Narrative and the Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776 Primary Source analysis.
Essay: Rights and the Declaration of Independence
Essay - 1356 Words

Essay

1356 Words

The Declaration of Independence, based in part on the philosophy of John Locke, was an "expression of the American mind". Going back to Magna Carta, British nobles had petitioned the monarch demanding limits to his power. But Locke argues and the Declaration of Independence asserts that legitimate government is based on the consent of the governed. Locke's ideas were too democratic, too revolutionary for his time in England, but a century later they had a firm hold in the American colonies, and in 1776 they were the basis of the original and most fundamental American statement of rights, the Declaration of Independence.
We Hold These Truths: Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence, and Identity
Lesson - 1 Activities

Lesson

1 Activities

45 Min

In this lesson, students will learn about Thomas Jefferson and the writing of the Declaration of Independence in order to understand their identity.
45 Min
Why Do We Celebrate the Fourth of July?
Podcast

Podcast

28 Min

The 4th has many different meanings for many different groups in America. Some see it as a time to celebrate with barbecues, others ask deep questions about the prevalence of slavery conflicting with the ideas of freedom for all presented in the Declaration of Independence, many do both! Mary, Gary, and Eryn explore these themes and more.
28 Min
Signing the Declaration of Independence
Essay - 2926 Words

Essay

2926 Words