Archiving Early America

Your Window Into America's Founding Years

• Think You Know All About the Constitution? Or the Declaration of Independence? Take our Quiz and find out!
  

Here at Archiving Early America you will be rewarded with a unique array of primary source documents from 18th Century America. Scenes and portraits from original newspapers, magazines, maps and writings come to life just as they appeared to this country's forebears more than 250 years ago.

As you browse through these pages, you will find it easier to understand the people, places and events of this seminal period in the history of America.

First on your agenda is the greatest document for personal freedom ever written by men, the U.S. Constitution. You'll find it at Freedom Documents along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Read the first public printing of the Constitution as it appeared in the September 19, 1787 issue of The Pennsylvania Packet.

To further understand this significant time in America's history visit our Music of Early America. Listen to the music of our ancestors — while downloading music played during George Washington's lifetime.

At Lives of Famous Early Americans you'll find Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography. Discover Franklin's shrewd observations on literature, philosophy and religion in what is considered the greatest autobiography published in Colonial America.

At Early American Bookmarks find out how America got its name, examine insights into Patrick Henry and learn of the early struggle for freedom of the press.

At Games test your knowledge of early American history with our interactive crossword puzzle and Quiz Game.

George Washington made his mark at the age of 21 with his historic trip to the Ohio Valley. Re-live this important event as you read his personal account in the Maryland Gazette of March 1754. It can be viewed here exactly as Washington wrote it, down to the last comma, apostrophe and period. See it at George Washington's Journal.

Paul Revere, Messenger of the Revolution Teachers & Students: Free Downloads of Rare Scenes Of Early America's People, Places & Events!

Most Popular: The Real Face of George Washington The Jefferson Primer Crossing the Delaware Boston Massacre Eye Witness Describes Boston Tea Party George Washington's Farewell Address Map of the 13 Colonies The Adventures of Daniel Boone