Important Documents in U.S. History

Constitution

(written in 1787) blueprint for the American government

Truman Doctrine

(1947) U.S. would support free people resisting takeover from hostile forces within or outside of their countries

Emancipation Proclamation

(Jan. 1, 1863) executive order given by Abraham Lincoln; it freed all of the slaves in the Confederacy

Declaration of Independence

(July 4, 1776) written by Thomas Jefferson; announced the separation of the colonies from England

Bill of Rights

(adopted 1791) first 10 amendments of the Constitution; guarantees individual rights

English Bill of Rights

(1689) (E) English agreement that guaranteed certain rights; influenced the U.S. Bill of Rights' protection of individual rights

Articles of Confederation

(1781-1789) 1st U.S. government; eventually failed because the national government was too weak

Gettysburg Address

(1863) famous speech given by Abraham Lincoln on the site where the Battle of Gettysburg had been fought; said that the Union was worth fighting for at any cost

"I have a dream" speech

(1963) Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of racial harmony; March on Washington

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Written at the beginning of the Vietnam war

Magna Carta

(1215) (M) English agreement that guaranteed certain rights; influenced the U.S. Bill of Rights' protection of individual rights