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Gettysburg Address
by Abraham Lincoln
Available on: Digital Download
"Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation...
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I Have a Dream
by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Available on: Online Audio | Online Video
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
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Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death" Speech
by Patrick Henry
Available on: Digital Download
On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry delivered a speech which supported military action against the British. This stirring speech swayed the vote and was most likely the deciding factor in committing Virginia troops to fight the British.
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United States Bill of Rights
by James Madison
Available on: Digital Download
After the ratification of the Constitution, the first United States Congress met in Federal Hall in New York City in 1789 and many of delegates wanted a "bill of rights" that would guarantee individual liberty in the face of the newly established federal government.
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First Inaugural Address of President George Washington
by George Washington
Available on: Digital Download
In 1789 George Washington was elected unanimously by the Electoral College as the first president of the United States of America. He was inaugurated as president on April 30, 1789 and he delivered the first inaugural address at Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York City.
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The United States Declaration of Independence
by Various Authors
Available on: Digital Download
By the summer of 1776, the American Patriots had taken control over all the 13 colonies, and they were now effectively individual states establishing their own state constitutions that existed outside of British rule. On June 11, 1776 a committee met with the purpose of drafting a resolution to declare independence of Great Britain.
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The Articles of Confederation
by Various Authors
Available on: Digital Download
The Articles of Confederation were adopted by The Second Continental Congress on November 15, 1777, and they became effective when they were ratified by all the states three years later on March 1, 1781.
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