A Chronological Journey
The words that sparked a revolution and built a republic. From colonial grievances to constitutional wisdom, the documents that created a nation.
The 1770s
The Sugar Act. The Stamp Act. The Townshend Acts. Britain tightens its grip on the colonies. Taxation without representation. Boston becomes a powder keg. The colonists begin to articulate what they are willing to die for.
Boston, Massachusetts
November 1772
"Among the natural rights of the Colonists are these: First, a right to life; Secondly, to liberty; Thirdly, to property; together with the right to support and defend them."
The "Father of the American Revolution" drafts the intellectual foundation for independence. Written for the Boston Town Meeting, this document articulates the natural rights that no government can justly take away.
Read This Text1773 — 1775
The Boston Tea Party. The Intolerable Acts. The First Continental Congress. Lexington and Concord—"the shot heard round the world." War has begun, but the colonies have not yet declared independence. A Virginia orator rises to speak.
Richmond, Virginia
March 23, 1775
"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
At St. John's Church, Henry delivers the speech that rallied Virginia to revolution. His words echo the ancient choice between freedom and submission—the same choice every generation must make.
Read This TextJanuary — July 1776
The colonies are at war but not yet independent. Many still hope for reconciliation. A recent immigrant from England publishes a pamphlet that changes everything. Within months, the Continental Congress will make the break official.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 10, 1776
"We have it in our power to begin the world over again. A situation, similar to the present, hath not happened since the days of Noah until now. The birthday of a new world is at hand."
Selling 500,000 copies in a nation of 2.5 million, Common Sense made independence inevitable. Paine demolished the mystique of monarchy and proved that revolution could be explained to every farmer, every tradesman, every citizen.
Read This TextPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
July 4, 1776
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Jefferson distills Enlightenment philosophy into 1,337 words that would reshape the world. Not just a declaration of separation, but a statement of universal human rights that would inspire revolutions for centuries to come.
Read This Text1783 — 1788
Victory. The Treaty of Paris recognizes American independence. But the Articles of Confederation prove too weak. The Constitution is drafted in Philadelphia—but can it be ratified? Three men take up their pens to explain and defend the new system.
New York, New York
November 22, 1787
"Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place."
The "Father of the Constitution" makes the case for a large republic. Against conventional wisdom, Madison argues that size is a strength—factions will check each other, and liberty will be preserved through competition, not virtue.
Read This Text1789 — 1801
Washington is inaugurated. Political parties emerge. The French Revolution divides opinion. The Alien and Sedition Acts test the First Amendment. After two terms, Washington prepares to leave—and to warn his countrymen.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 19, 1796
"The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence."
The "indispensable man" steps down—establishing the precedent of peaceful transfer of power. His farewell warns against factionalism, sectionalism, and foreign entanglements. Advice that would echo through American history.
Read This Text"Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it."Explore the Full Library