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Declaration of Independence (3:03)

To many in the Continental Congress, war was unthinkable. So why did they finally create this revolutionary document?

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Videos (8)

  • Declaration of Independence
    Declaration of Independence

    Video Clip (3:03)

    To many in the Continental Congress, war was unthinkable. So why did they finally create this revolutionary document?

    Video Clip (3:03)
  • American Revolution
    American Revolution

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    Get the story of how a fledgling, largely disconnected nation won its freedom from the greatest military force of its time.

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  • Matt Damon: The Declaration of Independence
    Matt Damon: The Declaration of Independence

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    Actor Matt Damon performs and discusses the Declaration of Independence.

    Video Clip (2:02)
  • James Madison: Did You Know?
    James Madison: Did You Know?

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    At just 5'4", James Madison was hardly a commanding presence, but that didn't stop him from shaping American history.

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  • Jefferson Writes the Declaration of Independence
    Jefferson Writes the Declaration of Independence

    Video Clip (2:37)

    At 33, Thomas Jefferson wrote the original draft of America's historic Declaration of Independence, which was approved by the Continental Congress after several days of debate and revisions on July 4, 1776.

    Video Clip (2:37)
  • Colonists Protest British Policies
    Colonists Protest British Policies

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    From the 1760's onward, colonial anger grows as the British pass a series of taxes and laws. With each one, the two groups move closer to war.

    Video Clip (3:05)
  • Thomas Jefferson Meets John Adams
    Thomas Jefferson Meets John Adams

    Video Clip (2:59)

    An unlikely pair whose tumultuous friendship lasted half a century, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826, 50 years after signing the Declaration of Independence.

    Video Clip (2:59)
  • Fourth of July History
    Fourth of July History

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    In a History of the Holidays video, discover how and when Americans celebrated Independence Day in the past. Although Benjamin Franklin thought we'd celebrate the 2nd of July; the 4th of July is closest to our hearts.

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Photo Galleries (6)

  • American Revolution: Continental Congress
    American Revolution: Continental Congress

    11 Photos

    Discover the accomplishments of the First and Second Constitutional Congresses, and learn about the major players behind such documents as the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Paris.

    (11 Photos)
  • American Revolution: Flags and Fliers
    American Revolution: Flags and Fliers

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    Discover some of the flags and fliers that circulated amongst the colonies before and during the American Revolution.

    (10 Photos)
  • American Revolution: Events and Battles
    American Revolution: Events and Battles

    12 Photos

    Explore Revolutionary battle sites such as Lexington, Concord and Yorktown, and learn how the events that took place there shaped the course of the war.

    (12 Photos)
  • American Revolution: Key Military Figures
    American Revolution: Key Military Figures

    10 Photos

    View images of key military figures from the American Revolution, and learn what role they played in this war of independence.

    (10 Photos)
  • Thomas Jefferson
    Thomas Jefferson

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    See pictures from the life and presidency of Thomas Jefferson.

    (11 Photos)
  • John Adams
    John Adams

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    See pictures from the life and presidency of John Adams.

    (7 Photos)

Interactives (3)

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