Declaring America

Declaring America is an online historical resource presenting influential American documents and speeches from 1630 to 1865. Organized around themes including the colonies, the Revolution, abolition, the Civil War, and Abraham Lincoln, the site introduces readers to primary sources that illuminate key debates and events in the nation’s early history. Featured works include John Winthrop’s “A Model of Christian Charity,” Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” Patrick Henry’s “Liberty or Death,” Frederick Douglass’s “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July,” and Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address.

Each entry pairs a document title and author with its date and a short quotation, giving visitors a quick introduction before they choose to read more. The collection also highlights voices such as Angelina Grimké, William Lloyd Garrison, and Samuel Sewall, with material addressing liberty, government, slavery, justice, and civic responsibility. Visitors can browse entries across multiple pages, explore recent additions, and share or print posts using the site’s listed options