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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 ConstitutionRatified in 1780, the oldest functioning written constitution in the world.
Read in your language
The Declaration of Independence
The U.S. Constitution
Explore more civics resources on Massachusetts Civics Online.
Sources
- State government: Mass.gov, John Adams & the Massachusetts Constitution, as of June 15, 1780.