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ESR / Primary Sources / The Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”

The Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”.

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Explore the ESResources.org June Educator Bulletin to discover instructional materials for teaching this performance.

  • Whose “We”? The Limits of a Founding Narrative

    Open the ES Resources Curriculum Project
    https://esresources.on-forge.com/storage/imported/c7d3651e0930099dc9a505936c28f034.pdf
    Whose “We”? The Limits of a Founding Narrative

  • *Overview* Ethnic Studies Curriculum for High School (Issue No. 3, Summer 2026)

    Open the Educator Bulletin PDFs
    https://esresources.on-forge.com/storage/imported/ed8783a4b831bdf3545cfa97a0bdc3e6.pdf
    *Overview* Ethnic Studies Curriculum for High School (Issue No. 3, Summer 2026)

  • Founding Stories (July 4th), Disability Pride Month, & Women’s Equality Day | Issue No. 3 (Summer 2026)

    Open the Educator Bulletin PDFs
    https://esresources.on-forge.com/storage/imported/cbfc6e67d002b5bb2b92b768197a140b.pdf
    Founding Stories (July 4th), Disability Pride Month, & Women’s Equality Day | Issue No. 3 (Summer 2026)

Additional Primary Sources 15

  • Declaration of Sentiments | The Seneca Fall Declaration (1848) – Women’s Right to Vote

    Declaration of Sentiments | The Seneca Fall Declaration (1848) – Women’s Right to Vote

  • Deleted Passage - Declaration of Independence on the Transatlantic Slave Trade - Expert Annotations

    Deleted Passage - Declaration of Independence on the Transatlantic Slave Trade - Expert Annotations

  • Frederick Douglass’ Historic Speech: “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” (July 5, 1852)

    Frederick Douglass’ Historic Speech: “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” (July 5, 1852)

  • “Liberty Tree” Ballad (1775) by Thomas Paine | Expert Annotations

    “Liberty Tree” Ballad (1775) by Thomas Paine | Expert Annotations

  • Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation (1775): Black Loyalists in the American Revolution

    Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation (1775): Black Loyalists in the American Revolution

  • “Remember the Ladies” (1776) Letter, Abigail Adams - Expert Annotations

    “Remember the Ladies” (1776) Letter, Abigail Adams - Expert Annotations

  • Born in Slavery-Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers’ Project, 1936-1938

    Born in Slavery-Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers’ Project, 1936-1938

  • The Annotated & Interactive 19th Amendment | “Women’s Right to Vote” at Congress.gov

    The Annotated & Interactive 19th Amendment | “Women’s Right to Vote” at Congress.gov

  • Joachim Prinz March on Washington Speech

    Joachim Prinz March on Washington Speech

  • “The Book of Negroes” (1783-84): British Military Ledger

    “The Book of Negroes” (1783-84): British Military Ledger

  • “Is it a Crime to Vote?” Speech by Susan B. Anthony (1872-1873)

    “Is it a Crime to Vote?” Speech by Susan B. Anthony (1872-1873)

  • “Women and the Fate of the Earth” Speech by Bella Abzug (March 17, 1990)

    “Women and the Fate of the Earth” Speech by Bella Abzug (March 17, 1990)

  • George Washington Corresponds with a Synagogue (1790) - Expert Annotations

    George Washington Corresponds with a Synagogue (1790) - Expert Annotations

  • American Jewish Archives

    American Jewish Archives

  • “What it Means to be Colored in the Capital of the U.S.” Speech by Mary Church Terrell (Oct. 10, 1906)

    “What it Means to be Colored in the Capital of the U.S.” Speech by Mary Church Terrell (Oct. 10, 1906)

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