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Founding Documents
The charters that shaped the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and still define our government and our rights today.
- The Declaration of IndependenceAdopted in 1776, declaring the thirteen colonies free from British rule. Read it in six languages.
- Understanding the DeclarationA plain-language guide to its key sections and why they still matter.
- The U.S. ConstitutionThe framework of the federal government and the rights it guarantees. Read it in six languages.
- Understanding the ConstitutionA plain-language guide to how the Constitution is built and what it protects.
- Understanding the Federalist PapersThe 85 essays that argued for ratifying the U.S. Constitution and the ideas behind them.
- The Bill of Rights and AmendmentsThe first ten amendments that guarantee fundamental freedoms.
- The Massachusetts ConstitutionWritten in 1780 — the oldest functioning written constitution in the world.
Read in your language
The Declaration of Independence
The U.S. Constitution
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