The primary source documents on this page highlight pivotal moments in the course of American history or government. They are some of the most-viewed and sought-out documents in the holdings of the National Archives.
Contents:
Lee Resolution (1776)
Declaration of Independence (1776)
Articles of Confederation (1777)
Treaty of Alliance with France (1778)
Treaty of Paris (1783)
Virginia Plan (1787)
Northwest Ordinance (1787)
Constitution of the United States (1787)
President George Washington's First Inaugural Speech (1789)
Federal Judiciary Act (1789)
Bill of Rights (1791)
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
In this captivating collection, immerse yourself in the profound words of America's founding father, George Washington. Presidential Farewell and Last Addresses (Unabridged) presents a timeless treasury of Washington's farewell addresses, offering a glimpse into his wisdom, patriotism, and unwavering belief in the principles that shaped a nation. Through his eloquent prose, Washington imparts invaluable lessons on leadership, unity, and the enduring legacy of the American experiment. Prepare to be inspired by the words that have guided generations and continue to resonate with profound significance today.
Eh bien, il va falloir se faire une raison : l'Américain-type, ça n'existe pas ! Tant pis pour la belle ordonnance des idées toutes faites ; d'un Américain à l'autre, le caractère, les moeurs, la stature même diffèrent. Bien sûr il existe, chez tous les habitants du Nouveau Monde, certains éléments qui constituent le caractère national, mais ces éléments sont amalgamés diversement selon les racines de l'individu, l'ancienneté de sa migration, selon surtout qu'il habite le vieux Nord-Est, le Sud, l'Ouest ou le Middle West. C'est ce qui ressort des treize nouvelles ici réunies, Toutes, sauf deux, ont été écrites pendant les décennies qui ont suivi la guerre de Sécession, en une période où le pays avait besoin de redécouvrir son identité, de concilier les mirages du passé et les réalités du présent... A ce moment-là plus que jamais, la littérature régionale, fondée sur des valeurs intactes, sûres, facilement reconnaissables, avait un rôle à jouer. Sans doute ces récits reflètent-ils leur époque, mais on y sent percer déjà une littérature de fiction plus complexe et plus élaborée : celle de l'Amérique contemporaine, qui a su si bien assimiler, pour des buts qui lui sont propres, accents régionaux et couleurs locales.
Why is the sea salty?
From the first chapter of the first book of Moses, called Genesis, we learn that, as between water and land, the ocean had the first place in terrestrial existence, for it is there stated that on the third day in the calendar of the creation the waters under the heavens were gathered together and the dry land appeared. Both from a chemical and a geological standpoint it appears that the waters of the ocean were salt from the beginning. Dr. T. S. Hunt, one of the ablest writers on the physical history of the globe, in his chemical and geological essays, referring to that period when the earth was in a molten state and surrounded by an envelope of gases and of vapor of water, states: "There would be the conversion of all the carbonates, chlorides, and sulphates into silicates, and the separation of carbon, chlorine, and sulphur in the form of acid gases which, with nitrogen, vapor of water, and a probable excess of oxygen, could form the dense primeval atmosphere...
In this captivating collection of short nonfiction works, renowned figures such as George Washington, Mark Twain, and Virginia Woolf explore profound themes and share their unique perspectives. From Washington's stirring speeches to Twain's witty observations and Woolf's introspective essays, this volume offers a glimpse into the minds of some of history's most influential thinkers. Prepare to be enlightened, inspired, and entertained as you delve into these timeless pieces that continue to resonate with readers today.
This essay of a cultured observer, for many years United States consul in Rome, appeared in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol 10, issue 59, April, 1855, pp 577 - 600.
This is a gentle, delightful story of life and love on the bayoux of Acadian Louisiana during the latter half of the 19th century. Bonaventure is a Creole raised among the Acadians. He loves learning, and through his calling as a teacher, and his own unique force of character, comes to have a lasting effect on the people around him. A word of warning: This story has occasional references to Jews and African Americans that the modern mind finds offensive. They are retained here in the interest of preserving the original text.
