Historical documents
Words which formed our country
Declaration and Resolves — Inching slowly toward independence. Adopted: October 14, 1774Necessity of Taking Up Arms — Why the colonies took up arms against Britain. Adopted: July 6, 1775
Olive Branch Petition — An attempt to reconcile with Britain. Adopted: July 8, 1775
Declaration of Rebellion — Fat George declares the colonies in rebellion. Published: August 23, 1775
Common Sense — By Thomas Paine. Published: February 14, 1776
Resolution of Independence (The Lee Resolution) — Independence from England. Adopted: July 2, 1776
Declaration of Independence — The greatest document in human history. Adopted: July 4, 1776
Articles of Confederation — Our first representative government. Adopted: July 9, 1778
Treaty of Paris — Officially ending our war of independence. Signed: September 3, 1783
The Constitution of the United States — The supreme law of our land. Ratified: September 17, 1787