Statistics in Schools
Analyze data from the U.S. Census Bureau in the social studies classroom.
Piscataway Park and Tobacco Farming
In 1700s Maryland and Virginia, farmers lived and died by the quality of their tobacco. Teachers tour Maryland’s Piscataway Park, learning about farmers’ struggle against their environment to grow and cure the perfect crop.
Touring Monticello
Tour Monticello with TAH teachers and learn about the history behind Thomas Jefferson’s home.
Monticello: Jefferson's Experiment
TAH teachers get an introduction to Monticello as Thomas Jefferson’s ’laboratory.'
Pockets from the Past: Daily Life at Monticello
What do the contents of pockets say about their owners? TAH teachers model strategies for examining and questioning artifacts.
Visiting the George Mason Memorial
How can you get teachers thinking about monuments and memorials as secondary and primary sources? Historians Christopher Hamner and Michael O’Malley started out by introducing teachers to the George Mason Memorial, Washington, DC.
Slave Life at Mount Vernon
How do the buildings and artifacts at Mount Vernon reflect the lives of the people who lived and worked there? Educators explore the slave quarters and question what they find.
Slavery at Jefferson's Monticello: Paradox of Liberty
Educators tour the NMAAHC exhibit “Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty” and ask about approaches to presenting the lives of Thomas Jefferson and his enslaved workers.
On a Mission: Junípero Serra in New Spain
Discover how missionary work impacted Native Americans.
Integrating Language Arts and History
Elementary teacher Karen Eanes hooks her students with engaging historical fiction, art, and primary source excerpts on George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware.
Teaching the Emancipation Proclamation on Constitution Day
This Constitution Day, the National Endowment for the Humanities asks, how is the Emancipation Proclamation like the U.S. Constitution?
Decisive Battles in the War of Independence
What were the most important battles of the American Revolution?
Whites of Their Eyes
Who said, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes?”
Introducing Taxation
Taxes are a part of our everyday life. But was this always true in the United States?
You Must Be This Old to Govern
25, 30, 35. We all know these ages are part of the requirements for elected representatives, but where did they come from?
The "Cradle" of America?
Historians often consider Puritan New England a model for the development of America as a whole. Is this correct or an example of regional bias?
Exploring Historical Fiction
Make the Lewis and Clark expedition and life on the Oregon Trail come alive with these suggestions!
Resources for Independence Day
Why do we celebrate the Fourth of July instead of the Second of July? Teach the context of the Declaration of Independence with these resources!
Resources for Flag Day
Flag Day may not fall during the school year for many, but Flag Day resources are valuable all year long.
Slavery in Colonial British North America
Slavery in colonial America was not an exclusively Southern institution.
Earth Day: Lost to History
Human history affects more than human beings.
Who Won the War (of 1812)?
How do textbooks from different countries treat the War of 1812?
Prequel to Independence
Teach your students about causality with this useful activity.
White House Historical Association
There’s more to the White House than the President himself—music, art, staff, pets. . .
The Standardization of American English
Why is colonial written English so different from the version we use today?
Probing Probate
How do we know what people in the past owned and valued?
Resources for Teaching the War of 1812
Earlier this year, we looked at what historic sites were doing to celebrate the bicentennial of the War of 1812. But how can you teach the bicentennial in your classroom?
A Sailor's Life for Me!
Explore Old Ironsides—live the life of a ship’s boy or learn about the people who fought aboard her.
Creating the United States
Even the Founding Fathers wrote rough drafts! Interact with early versions of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.
The Proclamation of 1763
Discover the history behind this important Proclamation by King George III.
The Fighting Canadiens
Discover how French Canadians reacted to the American Revolution.
All Hands on Deck
Get classroom attention by using the “swashbuckling” history of the USS Constitution as a knowledge vehicle.
The Bicentennial of 1812
How much do your students know about the War of 1812? Find resources on the bicentennial of this often-overlooked war.
What If...?: Reexamining the American Revolution
How different would “the United States of America” be if the British had won the Revolutionary War?
Socks to War
Even humble, everyday artifacts have a rich place in history.
1775 Colonial Newspaper Article
Smithsonian Barbara Clark Smith looks at what a colonial newspaper article says—and doesn’t say—about a Patriot protest.
1804 Inventory
What can an inventory tell you about daily life in Delaware in 1804? Curator Barbara Clark Smith asks this document four questions.
Shays' Rebellion and the Making of a Nation
Engage your students in historical thinking with this interactive site on the rebellion led by Daniel Shays.
Slave Badges
Slave badges were used in Charleston to keep track of slaves. Can you build a lesson for 4th graders around them?
Mission US: For Crown or Colony
Immerse your students in the 1770s with this online game.
Film Review: John Adams
Does John Adams depart too far from history to be useful in the classroom? Historian James Kloppenberg reviews the film.
Declaration of Independence
Historian Rosemarie Zagarri reads the Declaration of Independence closely, taking time to define its context and its effects.
U.S. Naval Power, 1775-1815
Believe it or not, the U.S. wasn’t always particularly supportive of increasing naval strength.
DocsTeach
Team up with the National Archives and Records Administration to bring primary sources into your classroom!
John Adams: Great or Not?
What does historical “greatness” mean, anyway?
Open Yale Courses
Looking for a little professional development? Miss your college classes? Try Yale’s.
Center on Congress
What is Congress? Why should anyone care?
Bill of Rights
Whitman Ridgway outlines some of the context in which the Bill of Rights was created and arguments surrounding its creation.
Ron Gorr on Socratic Seminars with Primary Documents
Anchor Socratic seminars in primary sources and watch your students work together to arrive at historical understanding.
American Resistance to a Standing Army
Americans of the 18th century took a much dimmer view of the institution of a professional army than current views of the U.S. military.
Black-Robed Regiment
Not technically a military force, the “Regiment” proved integral to the success of the American Revolution.
Divided Allegiance
Being born in the United States was not always a guaranteed path to citizenship.
War of Invaders
What do these biased narratives of the French and Indian War tell us?
Divining America: Religion in American History
Use this essay on Jewish immigration to flesh out a unit on the Civil War or immigration.
Finding a Speaker Willing to Use Digital Networks
Bring history to life with Skype and other digital technologies.
Making Personal Connections to the Past by Finding Historians
Whether you use the telephone or Skype, there are a number of ways to contact modern historians.
Elizabeth Schaefer's Vocabulary in Motion!
As spring weather approaches, are your students getting antsy? Eighth-grade teacher Elizabeth Schaefer gets students out of their seats with American Expansionism.
Dissent in the Ranks
George Washington’s military career and reputation were not pure successes. His military losses caused some to question his ability to lead a nation.
Innovation and Technology in the 19th Century
Of all the discoveries and developments that occurred in the 19th century, two proved to be the main force behind the development of the New Age.
Selling a Slave
The obstacles and restraints on disposing of one’s human “property.”
Past Rebel Lines
Benedict Arnold wasn’t the only spy in the American Revolution. Take this quiz on 18th century spies and their techniques.
Separation of Church and State
The Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Union Cavalry
The development of the Union cavalry forces was behind that of the Confederates which was considered, " the best Cavalry in the world." but its late formation did not hinder its eventual success.
Taxation to Revolution
It was reasoned that no colonists could fear an act that made them drink cheaper tea.
The Disaster of Innovation
How the cotton gin revolutionized the use of slaves and the production of cotton in the Southern United States.
From War to Revolution
Can you answer these questions on figures who took part in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution?
Burr-Hamilton Duel
Was it illegal? Was it dishonorable? Was it a duel or was it murder?
Freedom's Story: Teaching African American Literature and History
Slavery, Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement—you have to teach these topics, so check out these essays to enrich your curriculum!
Picturing the American Revolution
Looking for a creative way to teach the American Revolution to struggling readers? Check this out!
Turkey Tracking
Thanksgiving—how much do you know about the history of this popular holiday?
Martha Ballard
Learning about the life of a midwife in 18th-century Maine through her diary and other sources.
Elizabeth Schaefer on the Interactive Declaration of Independence
Eighth-grade U.S. history teacher Elizabeth Schaefer “warps” the Declaration of Independence into the future with interactives from the Library of Congress.
Trade Routes and Emerging Colonial Economies
The direct and indirect impacts of various trade routes during the 16th through 19th centuries.
Mystery Strategy for Elementary Students
Using the premise of a mystery, elementary students act as history detectives as they explore a historical question and formulate and test hypotheses.
Stamping Out Free Speech?
The Stamp Act of 1765 had colonists crying foul. Answer these questions about this most hated act.
DocsTeach
Find primary sources and the tools to present them to students—in one place.
A Hoax Provokes Folks: Why Lie?
Peruse the news, but beware hot air? Examine famous U.S. hoaxes.
Paradise in a Breakfast Bowl
A morning meditation on flakes: Do your morals and values help you decide which cereal to eat in the morning?
In Our Own Time: Native American Timekeeping
Pre-Columbian calendars were very different from the ones we use today. Are these statements about Native American timekeeping true?
The Ice Cream Wars
Was there conflict in the past over one of our favorite summer treats?
Presidential Moments: Campaigns
Think the mudslinging in modern campaigns is bad? Campaigns have always been “dirty” to amass support for one politician over another.
American Myths: Popular Music
Each song has a story. What inspired it? When was it made? By whom?
Constitution Day 2010
Explore these online Constitution Day resources for September 17 and throughout the year.
Potent Quotables: Every Vote Counts
After more than two centuries of citizenship, much has been said about voting. Can you tell who said what?
Presidential Moments: Inauguration
The first day on the new job is difficult for everybody—including U.S. presidents.
Patents as Primary Sources
Patents as primary sources? These documents can give your students clues to development of U.S. science, technology, business, and social concerns.
Turning Turtle: Shipwrecks and Disasters at Sea
The ship’s on her beam-ends and all’s lost! Test your knowledge of maritime disasters.
Presidential Valentines
The politics of love—answer these questions about valentines to and from U.S. presidents
The Many Roots of African American Cooking
Africa, Europe, and North America—mix, and serve. Explore the foods that African Americans developed in the colonies, and later in the nation.
Celebrate More Than St. Patrick
The Irish contributed more to the U.S. than shamrocks and folktales.
Constitution Day
Securing the blessings of liberty for ourselves and for posterity—answer these questions on the U.S. Constitution.
Freedom Trail Foundation
Studying the American Revolution? How about walking Boston’s Freedom Trail? You don’t have to live near Boston to take this virtual tour.
State of the Union
What can 214 State of the Union addresses tells us about American politics and rhetoric?
African and Native Americans in Colonial and Revolutionary Times
African Americans and Native Americans have had a long and complex relationship, often characterized by their similar exclusion from the fruits of freedom envisioned during the American Revolution.
Coming of the American Revolution, 1764-1776
Teaching the American Revolution and its politics? Check out 15 topical essays and a database of more than 150 primary sources.
Bank Notes of the Second Bank of the United States
The impermanence of paper money was matched by the impermanence of the bank that issued it.
Iroquois and the Founding Fathers
Historians argue over whether the Founding Fathers’ knowledge of Native American forms of confederation influenced their early plans for the government of the United States.
Colonial Teenagers
Young people in their teens were not thought of as a distinct group, but as young adults who were obliged to work for their living, whether they lived at home or not.
Jefferson versus Hamilton
Their differing philosophies of government set the stage for the permanent growth of political factions.
PhilaPlace
Pennsylvania educators, or teaching urban history? Explore two neighborhoods in Philadelphia using an interactive map and more than 1,240 primary sources.
New Jersey's Quakers and the American Revolution
Did you know the Quakers were pre-Revolution abolitionists?…
Monticello Explorer
Can’t travel to Monticello? Take your students on a virtual tour of Jefferson’s estate with this website.
Refugees from the American Revolutionary War
Neighbor against neighbor, brother against brother, father against son.
Forebears’ Furniture
How would a 1790 Pennsylvania farmhouse have been furnished?
Midnight Ride of Paul Revere: Fact, Fiction, and Artistic License
Did Revere’s ride really look like that? Use historical documents to analyze flights of artistic fancy.
Rock Paper Scissors
Gamester extraordinaire Comte de Rochambeau?
All Wrapped Up in the Flag
Flinging the first American flag to the breeze.
Spy in a Petticoat
“She had outwitted the British and oh how they hated her.”
Resources for Units on Early American Government
When unit planning is daunting, look to exceptional examples online.
Toolbox Library: Primary Resources in U.S. History and Literature
Eight “toolboxes” enable secondary teachers to enhance existing U.S. History units.
Thomas Jefferson's Library
Basic information and several images of 41 books once in Thomas Jefferson’s library.
Library of Southern Literature
Full texts of more than 130 works of literature by more than 75 Southern authors.
Early American Newspapers: Series 1, 1690-1876
17th- through 19th-century newspaper articles from 23 states and DC.
Boston's Bloody Affray
A struggle over naming a struggle—when and where did the Boston Massacre gain the name?
Spanish Louisiana vs. Great Britain
Spain pursuing its own goals against Great Britain.
Begging Leave to Inform the Publick
Ads that were revolutionary … or not. What products could be sold during the American Revolution?
Faces of Science: African Americans in the Sciences
Search over 200 prominent African American scientists.
Savannah Images Project
A useful local history project which focuses on the history of Savannah and the Georgia coastline.
Thomas Jefferson Papers
The largest collection of original Jefferson documents in the world. Really, we’re serious.
Virginia Historical Society
View the Virginia Historical Society’s extensive collection of materials documenting Virginia history.
Jefferson's Blood
Learn about Jefferson’s forgotten descendants, children of his slave mistress.
Bartleby, Great Books Online
A collection of American and European literary classics, made available free of charge.
U.S. Electoral College
Uncover the inner workings and history of the US Electoral College. Click here to explore!
The Papers of George Washington
An excellent introduction to the papers of George Washington, including personal correspondence and maps.
History of Presidential Elections Site
Provides a wealth of information on US presidential elections, with a particular focus on the 2000 election.
U.S. Senate Historical Office
How much do you know about the history of the American Senate? Click here for background information on this component of our legislative branch.
Liberty! The American Revolution
The companion site to a PBS documentary, this website is a useful resource for scholars of the American Revolution.
Historical Maps of the United States
A collection of U.S. and military maps useful for a variety of research.
Mount Vernon
Take a virtual tour of George Washington’s famous estate, Mt. Vernon.
Hagley Digital Archives
Focused on business history, this gateway site connects businesses to greater cultural and social trends.
Divining America: Religion and the National Culture
A comprehensive history of religion and major religious events within the United States.
Leslie Brock Center for the Study of Colonial Currency, University of Virginia
Learn about the American colonial economy and currency.
The American Colonist's Library
This extensive database contains influential documents and literature spanning from 500BC to the 1800s.
The African American Odyssey: A Quest for Full Citizenship
A comprehensive guide consisting of over 240 primary source items detailing African American history.
Map History/History of Cartography: The Gateway to the Subject
A collection of 3,000 historical maps and information about the history of cartography.
Early American Imprints, Series I: Evans, 1639-1800
Looking for a one-stop spot for all your quick 1639-1800 research needs?
American Notes: Travels in America, 1750-1920
What impressions did the average citizen or foreigner form of early America and its people?
Spain, The United States, and The American Frontier: Historias Paralelas
If you need primary sources on the Spanish in North America, try this site.
Federal Township Plats of Illinois, 1804-1891
View maps created during the early stages of surveying Illinois.
National Postal Museum
The mail always comes, rain or shine; but how?
University of Missouri-Columbia: Digital Library Collections
A hodge podge of history: England, Missouri, and the greater U.S.
Freedom: A History of Us
What exactly is freedom, and who possesses it?
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Teaching Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War? Explore this storehouse of Lincolnian history.
Urban Planning, 1794-1918: An International Anthology
How did WWI affect urban development? How did it impact housing and business in the cities?
Best of History Websites
Find top notch history web resources, as well as advice on using technology for teaching.
Selected Historical Decennial Census Population and Housing Counts
What questions have past censuses posed? What were the results?
Museum of Musical Instruments (MoMI)
Find out about the guitar players who came before you, and perhaps, even perfect your own abilities.
Digital Archive of American Architecture
Explore U.S. architectural styles and ornamentation, or date the buildings in your town.
Physical Sciences Collection: Surveying and Geodesy
What tools do men use to turn wilderness into private property?
Meeting of Frontiers
How does the settling of the Siberian frontier compare to that of the U.S. West?
Afro-Louisiana History and Genealogy, 1718-1820
Consider assigning contextual reports on the lives of individual slaves.
History of American Education Web Project
Explore the history of education within the U.S, through writings and images.
George Washington: A National Treasure
What can you learn from the Lansdowne portrait of George Washington?
The Hartford Black History Project
Follow the formation of the African American community in the city of Hartford, CT
Lesson Plans Library
Hundreds of lesson plans, right at your fingertips. Incorporate them in the classroom.
Thomas Jefferson Papers
What did Thomas Jefferson read?
AMDOCS: Documents for the Study of American History
One convenient source for major historical U.S. documents.
Lift Every Voice: Music in American Life
What work can be accomplished through music?
Brief Timeline of American Literature, Music, and Movies
Explore film, music, and literature in its social context and chronology. Understand the cultural dynamics that lent themselves to the media.
The Yale Map Collection: Online Maps
What kind of map might you have used as an explorer? An early urbanite?
The Luso-Hispanic World in Maps
Peruse maps of Spanish and Portuguese colonization, exploration, and military ventures.
Historical Map and Chart Collection
Teaching exploration? Why not introduce your students to nautical charts?
HistoryWired: A Few of Our Favorite Things
What American history items do Smithsonian curators like best?
Brooklyn's Eighteenth-Century Lott House
Conduct your own “virtual dig” of a Dutch farmhouse.
Today in History Web Resources
Need to check a date? Have students report on their birth dates? Try here.
American Originals Part II
Introduce students to 25 documents selected by the National Archives for their historical importance.
Virginia Historical Inventory (VHI)
View Virginia’s antebellum architectural culture.
The Capital and the Bay, ca. 1600-1925
What picture have people painted of the Washington, D.C. in written works?
Interpreting the Declaration of Independence by Translation
Is the Declaration of Independence the same document when in a foreign language?
Spy Letters of the American Revolution
Aside from Benedict Arnold, how much do you know about Revolutionary War spies?
Heading West and Touring West
View maps of the West, while simultaneously looking into the lives of traveling performers.
Democratic Vistas: The William Clyde DeVane Lecture Series
Look to the past to consider the prospects of democracy in the U.S.
Keffer Collection of Sheet Music, ca. 1790-1895
What was popular music like in the 19th century?
Slave Movement During the 18th and 19th Centuries
Analyze data to understand the impact of slavery on the colonies and nation.
Private Passions, Public Legacy: Paul Mellon's Personal Library
Enjoy this sneak peek at the Mellon Collection of Virginia history.
Hall of Black Achievement Gallery
Meet 30 influential African Americans who contributed across a wide variety of fields.
Papers of John Jay
Read the correspondence of lesser known founding father John Jay.
History Cooperative
Catch up on the latest scholarly research, and learn and incorporate new scholarship or innovative findings into the classroom.
Civics Online
Gain inspiration for new ways to approach political history.
Pioneering the Upper Midwest: Rare Books c. 1820-1910
Explore Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin life through rare books.
America Singing: 19th-century Song Sheets
How did people learn the latest music trends without electronics?
The American Revolution and Its Era: Maps and Charts
See Revolutionary War-era maps evolve from draft to completion.
Presidential Elections and the Electoral College
Look to the Library of Congress for your election and electoral congress needs.
Florida Heritage Collection
Explore Florida state, regional, and local history.
New Perspectives on the West
Peruse lesson plans about the West on this companion site to a Ken Burns documentary.
Web de Anza
Check out this site to see “how the West was won.”
Common-Place: The Interactive Journal of Early American Life
Immerse yourself in early U.S. history with this scholarly journal.
The American Experience
Discover briefs on more than 60 iconic points in U.S. history.
Great Lakes Maritime History Project
Delve into Wisconsin’s maritime history. Discover the multiple ways in which water shaped the history of the state.
Across the Generations: Exploring U.S. History through Family Papers
Experience Caucasian, middle-class Northeastern life through the collections of four families.
The Uses & Abuses of the Constitution
What role did the Constitution play in the Clinton impeachment, women’s history, and gun control?
National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
More than 50 virtual exhibits ranging from Julia Child to West Point.
Oneida Indian Nation: Culture and History
Meet the Oneida, and discover their role in the Revolutionary War and War of 1812.
FamilySearch
Begin genealogical projects on the right foot with these databases and tools.
The Star-Spangled Banner
What does the flag mean in the terms of forging a cohesive U.S. identity?
The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden
Unsure how to teach presidential history in an engaging manner? Try these activities and lessons.
Samuel F. B. Morse Papers, 1793-1919
Explore the thoughts of Samuel F. Morse, artist and father of the electromagnetic telegraph.
The History of Sanitary Sewers
Few engineering feats are so overlooked by history as the creation of sewers worldwide.
Historical Maps Online
View 400 hundred years of cartography from the Illinois area.
Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America
How much do you know about the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury?
The Pill
How has the birth control pill altered sexuality and feminine gender expectations?
Jonathan Edwards Online
Jonathan Edwards was the grandfather of Aaron Burr, and entrenched in the Great Awakening movement.
Women Working, 1800-1930
What did women think of their work at home, in the arts, and in business?
Military Campaign Maps
Where exactly were troops stationed in a given battle? Visualize the military campaigns, and imagine what the troops saw when they were able to initiate fighting.
The New Georgia Encyclopedia
Need a comprehensive site on Georgia history? Why, here you go!
Carriers' Addresses
Did you know that, traditionally, newsboys read poems to their customers on New Year’s?
American Memory Learning Page
Try lesson plans based on the Library of Congress’ American Memory collections.
The United States and Brazil: Expanding Frontiers, Comparing Cultures
How are Brazil and the U.S. similar? How are they different?
Colonial House
Companion to a PBS television program, this site provides insight into everyday colonial life.
Rediscovering George Washington
Take in the latest scholarship on the life of the first U.S. president.
The Story of Virginia
State standards require you to teach VA history? Worry not! This site covers Virginia history from prehistoric times to the present.
Presidents of the United States - POTUS
Compare inauguration promises or cabinet members. See the image of the United States’ government over time.
Bethlehem Digital History Project
Imagine life as a Moravian in Bethlehem, PA.
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
How can you incorporate digital technology into your teaching, study, or understanding of history?
Founding Documents
History lessons on the founding documents invariably include the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Spain in the American Revolution
The enemy of my enemy is my friend—what was Spain’s role (and motivation) in the American Revolution?
Rare Map Collection
Explore maps from throughout America’s history, with a special focus on 19th century Georgia.
A Curriculum of United States Labor History for Teachers
Learn about labor politics and economics throughout American history.
Voice of the Shuttle: Web Page for Humanities Research
An impressive gateway site for all humanities subjects.
Building an Archives
Learn about the history of the National Archives as well as how to start your own archives.
Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture
Learn about the history of the United States up to 1815 with this website dedicated exclusively to early American history.
NativeWeb: Resources for Indigneous Cultures Around the World
A unique website designed to foster communication regarding all of the planet’s native peoples.
Lewis and Clark: Maps of Exploration 1507-1814
Explore cartography and the exploration of the North American continent.
Mapping History
Explore American and world history through this collection of maps.
At Home in the Heartland
Learn about family life and social history in the northern Midwest.
The Digital Classroom
An informative introduction to the practice and excitement of historical research.
Chickasaw Historical Research Page
Learn about the Chickasaw Indians, originally from the American South, with this website.
American Women's History: A Research Guide
Speed up your online search for resources on American women’s history with this research guide.
Third Person, First Person: Slave Voices
Explore American slavery through this website’s 33 primary source documents.
Excerpts from Slave Narratives
The 46 first-person accounts on this website effectively chronicle slavery in the United States.
History: The National Park Service
Visit this website to learn the history of many of the 384 areas under the stewardship of the National Park Service.
WWW-Virtual Library, History Central Catalogue
This large gateway site provides a starting point for any and all historical research.
Words and Deeds in American History
View primary documents that helped to shape America’s history.
America Votes: Presidential Campaign Memorabilia
Follow presidential campaigns through the years with this collection of campaign materials.
California Heritage Collection
View the early history of California through this collection of over 30,000 photographs.
Thomas Jefferson on Politics and Government
Learn about Jefferson’s political views through this collection of quotations from his writings.
American Originals
Explore 14 significant and compelling documents from the National Archive Holdings.
Archiving Early America
Explore the early history of America with reproductions of important documents and newspapers.
Drafting the Documents of Independence
View documents relating to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.
Charters of Freedom
Explore documents that helped to shape the history of our nation.
New Jersery History Partnership Project
Use New Jersey during the American Revolution as a national microcosm.
Sullivan Clinton Campaign, 1779-2005
Explore the 1779 Sullivan-Clinton Campaign to destroy the Seneca, Cayuga, and Onondaga.
From Haven to Home: 350 Years of Jewish Life in America
Peruse this online exhibit on the history of Jewish life in the United States.
Lest We Forget: The Triumph Over Slavery
Explore slavery in America from nine thematic perspectives.
Rebellion: John Horse and the Black Seminoles
What role did runaway slaves and free African Americans play in the Second Seminole War?
Adams Family Papers
You probably know about John Adam’s political career, but what of the Adams’ domestic life?
Slavery and the Making of America
An extensive glimpse into slave life and the history of slavery in the United States.
Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words
Get to know Benjamin Franklin through his own writings, cartoons, and letters.
Library of Congress: Webcasts
Access more than 500 webcasts from the Library of Congress.
Dolley Madison Project
Read the letters of Dolley Madison while learning about her life—from childhood to widowhood.
A Portion of the People: Three Hundred Years of Southern Jewish Life
Explore Jewish heritage outside of the Mid-Atlantic or the Holocaust.
The History Box
Have a question about New York City or state history? More than 750 articles available.
Historic Pittsburgh
Acquaint yourself with Pittsburgh history through full texts, images, maps, census data, and lesson plans.
Medicine in the Americas, 1619-1914
Access works on medicine and health by Clara Barton, Benjamin Coleman, Benjamin Rush, and others.
Portal to Texas History
Texas educators, looking for primary resources on state history? Search this portal for thousands of images and documents drawn from Texas-based archival collections.
New Jersey Public Records and Archives
Familiarize yourself with New Jersey history using images, maps, and official documents.
The Lives and Writings of Antebellum Students at UNC
What did college students think about their lives and larger issues in the 19th-century?
Silicon Valley History Online
Silicone Valley is known as a high-tech industry center, but has it always been?
Turning Points in Wisconsin History
Primary documents, background information, and lesson plans for Wisconsin history.
Walt Whitman Archive
Get to know the life, mind, works, and criticisms of poet Walt Whitman.
Tennessee Documentary History Collection, 1796-1850
Geared toward K-12 education, this site presents antebellum life in Tennessee through letters and images.
Dolley Madison Digital Edition
Read Dolley Madison’s personal correspondence from her youth through her widowhood.
Oxford African American Studies Center
Access more than 5,000 biographies, maps, and images relevant to African American history.
Early Recognized Treaties with American Indian Nations
Inspect nine early land dispute treaties between the Native Americans and the British or U.S.
ROTFLOL?* President John Quincy Adams Twittered?
Media change, but do the messages?
Probing the Past
What might you have owned in Maryland or Virginia in 1740-1810? (Lesson plans included!)
American State Papers, 1789-1838
Access Congressional documents from the first 25 Congresses.
American Broadsides and Ephemera, Series I, 1760-1900
Explore American life through advertisements, literature, poetry, Civil War envelopes, and more!
North American Women's Letters and Diaries: Colonial Times to 1950
Read the personal correspondence and diaries of women such as Phyllis Wheatley and Margaret Fuller.
Maryland Digital Cultural Heritage
Explore the history of Maryland, from Edgar Allen Poe to the War of 1812.
The Franklin County Publication Archives Index
Explore 19th-century life through newspaper articles from the 1870s.
Monticello: The Home of Thomas Jefferson
Have you ever wondered how Thomas Jefferson spent his days?
Red White Blue & Brimstone: New World Literature and the American Millennium
Texts throughout U.S. history have featured imagery from the Book of Revelations, including the the documents on this site.
First Century of the First State University: The Creation of UNC
Primary sources document the history of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the first U.S. public university.
The Boston Massacre: Fact, Fiction, or Bad Memory
Help students think about where evidence for history comes from.
Supreme Court Historical Society
The U.S. Supreme Court has shaped American ideals into practice since 1789, but how much do you know about this influential institution?
James Madison's Failed Amendments
Apportionment in the House of Representatives and pay raises for Congress fell by the wayside—at least temporarily.
American Experience: We Shall Remain
Coming soon to your local PBS station: a new look at the Native American experience.
Teaching the Declaration without Overwhelming Students
Is the Declaration of Independence challenging for your students? Check out these ideas to make this text more accessible.
Is the Story of George Washington and the Colt a True Story?
Is it all right to make up stories about real people to teach children about honesty? In the 19th century, some people thought so.
Are There Instances of Raids Similar to the Boston Tea Party?
From South Carolina to Maine, colonists protested the Tea Act of 1773.
Messages of Houses and Their Contents, 1780-1820
Examining changes in early American homes helps interpret the past. It reflects the transitions that occurred in that community, as well as within the household.
Jewish Immigration During the Revolutionary War
Just before the Revolution, between 2,000 and 3,000 Jews lived in the colonies.
Why Was the Boston Tea Party Not Stopped by British Troops?
To some extent, the Boston Tea Party was the result of unintended consequences.
Declaration of Independence: Rough Draft to Proclamation
How did the final version of the Declaration differ from Jefferson’s draft?
Namesake of a Peacekeeper
Historians have attempted to account for the great admiration that whites had for Tecumseh.
Quantity of Soldiers—not Quality of Their Aim—Won Battles
Linear battle formations date at least to the early 17th century.
Lewis and Clark: Same Place, Different Perspectives
How geography influenced interactions among Lewis, Clark, & Native Americans.
A Look at Slavery through Posters and Broadsides
How to identify the author, audience, date, and message of historical posters.
"Join or Die"
Think the “Join or Die” snake first appeared during the American Revolution? Think again!
Slaves and the Courts, 1740-1860
Delve into the complex history of slavery and the law with this collection of primary sources.
Primary Documents in American History
The Library of Congress presents 35 of the most important documents from early American history.
Images of Native Americans
Illustrations follow European interpretations of Native Americans, through images from popular culture, literary and political observations, and artistic representations.
Thomas Paine National Historical Association
Explore the life and works of one of the most famous revolutionaries—Thomas Paine.
Slavery in New York
Nine galleries explore the history of slavery in New York City.
First American West: The Ohio River Valley, 1750-1820
Explore sources from the mid-18th-to-early-19th-century European migration into the Ohio River Valley.
Envisaging the West: Thomas Jefferson and the Roots of Lewis and Clark
Follows Jefferson’s life, political participation, and accumulation of scientific geographical knowledge from 1735 to 1804.
David Rumsey Map Collection
More than 15,800 rare historical maps focus on North and South America.
Century of Lawmaking: Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1873
Covers Congressional documents from the nation’s founding through early Reconstruction.
USC Archival Research Center
With over 126,000 photographs, maps, and other documents, this site offers a comprehensive look at the history of Los Angeles and southern California.
Cultural Readings: Colonization and Print in the Americas
Examine texts about the Americas produced in Europe from the 15th to 19th centuries.
Center for Archaeological Studies
Showcases archaeological excavations at Mobile and elsewhere in Alabama through images and exhibits.
Battle Lines: Letters from America's Wars
More than 30 letters cover conflicts from the Revolutionary War to the War of 1812 to war in Iraq.
American Journeys
Firsthand accounts of exploration range from Viking stories to early 19th-century trappers’ journals.
Africans in America
Trace the history of Africans in America through Reconstruction, with 245 images, maps, and documents.
Picturing America
Presents 27 iconic works of art as examples for the use of art and primary sources in history classrooms.
Historical Context and Roleplaying
A 5th-grade teacher teaches historical context through roleplaying activities.
An Introduction to Historical Thinking and Reading
Watch this flash movie for a peek at how historians read and question sources.
North American Slave Narratives, Beginnings to 1920
Explore all of the known published slave narratives, to better understand the experience of slavery and the culture that slaves created in the nation.
Map Collections: 1500-2003
16th-century to present-day maps, focusing on Americana and cartographic treasures.
American Shores: Maps of the Middle Atlantic Region to 1850
Explore the mid-Atlantic region with more than 1,852 maps created before 1850.
Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music
Scanned images of more than 18,000 pieces of sheet music, including covers, published prior to 1923.
Religion and the Founding of the American Republic
Explore the significance of religion in early American history and its influence on republican institutions.
James Madison Papers
Explore James Madison’s life through his correspondence, personal notes, drafts of letters and legislation, and legal and financial documents.
George Washington Papers, 1741-1799
Presents the largest set of original Washington documents in the world.
Documents from the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention
274 sources focusing on the work of the Continental Congress and the drafting and ratification of the Constitution.
Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties
Digitizes Indian Affairs, a seven-volume compendium of treaties, laws, and executive orders relating to U.S.-Indian affairs from 1778 to 1970.
Thomas Jefferson Digital Archive
Peruse more than 1,700 texts written by or to Thomas Jefferson—from correspondence to books and papers.
Geography of Slavery in America
Provides transcriptions and images of more than 4,000 newspaper advertisements for runaway slaves and indentured servants between 1736 and 1803.
Do History: Martha Ballard's Diary Online
Explore the diary of midwife Martha Ballard and the creation of two modern historical studies based on the diary.
Atlantic Slave Trade and Slave Life in the Americas: A Visual Record
Showcases more than 1,230 images depicting the enslavement of Africans, the Atlantic Slave Trade, and slave life in the New World.
Accessible Archives
Presents articles from 18th- and 19th-century newspapers, magazines, and books, with a focus on the Mid-Atlantic region.
Archive of Early American Images
Collects more than 4,000 images from books created in Europe between 1492 and 1825.