Treaty of Paris on webpage

Milestone Documents in American History

A new resource from the National Archives – Milestone Documents – provides access to primary sources that highlight pivotal moments in the course of American history and government.

What Happens in Washington?: A New Distance Learning Program

Sign up for our new "What Happens in Washington?" online program for K-2 students, or for one of our other K-12 distance learning options.

Bring the Constitution to Life

Get Ready for Constitution Day!

We have programs and resources to help you teach about the Constitution on Constitution Day or any day!

Distance Learning for students from the National Archives, Offering free interactive 45 minute lessons

Online Student Programs with the Presidential Libraries and National Archives

Join us online for interactive learning programs! Programs are available for preschool through 12th grade, and are scheduled weekly through the end of May.

We Declare Activity

We Declare!: A New Teaching Activity Comparing American and French Revolutionary Documents

In this new activity, students engage in a comparison of the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen to learn about the Enlightenment and revolutionary ideas.

Charters of Freedom

New for Constitution Day: Distance Learning for Students and a Professional Development Webinar

September 17th is Constitution Day! On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the document that they had spent weeks creating: the Constitution of the United States. However, the Constitution is only one of our founding documents. The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights … Continue reading New for Constitution Day: Distance Learning for Students and a Professional Development Webinar

Educator Open House in Washington, DC

Attention DC area educators! Please join us for our annual Educators Open House on Thursday, September 13th from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. at the National Archives in Washington, DC. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. Enjoy a special after-hours viewing of our exhibits, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Meet … Continue reading Educator Open House in Washington, DC

The Declaration of Independence

In celebration of our nation declaring its independence 237 years ago, today's spotlight is—of course—on the Declaration of Independence. The National Archives is its permanent home. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in which the American colonies set forth a list of grievances against the British Crown and declared they … Continue reading The Declaration of Independence