Declaration of Independence

Primary Sources

History in Their Words

Define

According to the Library of Congress, "Primary sources are the raw materials of history—original documents and objects that were created at the time under study. They are different from secondary sources, accounts that retell, analyze, or interpret events, usually at a distance of time or place." The Smithsonian Institute concretely defines primary sources to include "birth certificates, photographs, diaries, letters, embroidered samplers, clothing, household implements, and newspapers."

To encourage and inform the study of history, American Battlefield Trust has collected a variety of primary sources related to the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Reading these historical documents can lead to a better understanding of what people saw, heard, thought and believed in tumultuous times that shaped history.

Use the website search function and filters to find all the primary sources for each era! Here on this page, you'll find some of the most popular primary sources. 

SEARCH FOR FREE CLASSROOM RESOURCES!

Explore the American Battlefield Trust’s collection of over 4,000 educational resources—including full curricula, lesson plans, videos, biographies, primary sources and so much more. Start your search here and filter by type the resources that are right for you.

Sketched illustration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence
This is a sketch of three soldiers operating a cannon.

American Revolution

From "we hold these truths to be self-evident" to "remember the ladies" and petitions for freedom, the primary sources created during the American Revolution reveal the challenges of civilians, soldiers and political leaders as a new nation emerged.

These are some of the most used primary sources of the Revolution, but you can always find more through the website's filtered search.

Cropped view of an engraving recolored in light greyscale tones shows the USS Constitution on the water, with another ship nearby.
Cropped view of an engraving recolored in light greyscale tones shows General Jackson on a horse with American soldiers fighting the British in the background.
Scan of the Treaty of Ghent

War of 1812

The War of 1812 was complex for the new United States and people had strong opinions about the causes and events of the conflict. Memorable and debated primary sources from this era include Francis Scott Key's poem "The Star-Spangled Banner."

These are some of the most used primary sources of War of 1812, but you can always find more through the website's filtered search.

This is a sketch of Abraham Lincoln addressing Union soldiers.

Civil War

Secession ordinances, soldier letters, popular newspapers, military orders and promises for ending slavery, primary sources from the American Civil War are the opportunity to study these tense and turning-point years through the words of the people who experienced them. 

These are some of the most used primary sources of the Civil War, but you can always find more through the website's filtered search.

This is a drawing of a blank, open journal and a quill.
Document
This is a sketch of the White House.

Civics

The U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights and other popular civic documents! You'll find a few collected here and more through the website search.