Historical Documents and Records

The Declaration of Independence is the document that declared the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain on July 4, 1776.

Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, with input from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and others.

The Constitution of the United States is the document that established the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787.

James Madison was the primary author of the Constitution of the United States, with input from Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and others.

The Bill of Rights is the document that added the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States on December 15, 1791.

James Madison was the primary author of the Bill of Rights, with input from Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and others.

The Articles of Confederation is the document that established the Articles of Confederation on March 1, 1781.

John Dickinson was the primary author of the Articles of Confederation, with input from Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and others.

The Constitution of the United States ended the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789.

The Federalist Papers is the document that established the Federalist Party on October 27, 1787.

Alexander Hamilton was the primary author of the Federalist Papers, with input from James Madison and John Jay.

The Anti-Federalist Papers is the document that established the Anti-Federalist Party on October 26, 1787.

Patrick Henry was the primary author of the Anti-Federalist Papers, with input from George Mason, Richard Henry Lee, and Samuel Adams.

The Democratic-Republican Societies is the document that established the Democratic-Republican Party on January 6, 1793.

Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Democratic-Republican Societies, with input from James Madison, Aaron Burr, and George Clinton.