American History Documents

America - still a young country by world standards - began as an experiment in self-government. This collection includes stories of America's people as they follow a path of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

The First Worcester Edition of A Little Pretty Pocket-Book, Intended for the Instruction and Amusement of Little Master Tommy, and Pretty Miss Polly i...

Known as a great emancipator for slaves, Abraham Lincoln took a different view regarding Native Americans when he issued an Executive Order for Navajo...

This document, one of America's top treasures, is Abraham Lincoln's first inaugural address.  The edits are in the President's own handwriting.Th...

This image depicts Abraham Lincoln's original letter (dated May 23, 1860) in which he accepts his party's nomination as candidate for President of the...

America elected Abraham Lincoln as their 16th President on the 6th of November, 1860.  The United States was on the verge of Civil War, at the ti...

When Mary Elizabeth Jenkins - the future Mary Surratt - was twelve years old, her mother sent her to a Catholic boarding school in Alexandria.  I...

The Burning of Holland details eye-witness accounts of the historic fire in Holland Michigan on October 9, 1871. Click on the image for a better view...

In 1916, congess passed a law forbidding the sale of goods made by children outside the state.  Though the law was overturned it marked an import...

John Brown's address to the Court.  Click on the Image to enlarge it.

On the 9th of November, 1789, Benjamin Franklin published an "Address to the Public from the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the Abolition of Slave...

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