With an abreviated but keen sense of observation Aesop tells stories that never attempt to portray the real world; yet within this fantastic setting he gives us a vision of the human condition that still provides deep insight to this day.

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.

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.

LearnOutLoud.com is proud to present this audio collection entitled The Founding Documents of the United States of America. These documents represent key points in the founding of the U.S. government.

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.

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.

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.