The three founding documents of the United States are collectively known as the Charters of Freedom, and form the basis of our national identity.

Together, these three documents outline the principles and philosophy of the United States, and serve as the basis for the laws, traditions, and expectations of this nation, its government, and its people.

The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, and is the foundational document of the United States. This document outlined the justification for declaring the thirteen British colonies in the Americas free of British rule and entitled to rule themselves. This decision was not made lightly, and many attempts were made to redress the grievances the colonists had against King George and Great Britain. When their efforts yielded no results, the colonies together declared that Great Britain no longer had the right to rule over them, and declared their independence.

 

The Constitution of the United States

The Constitution of the United States outlines how the federal government operates, and serves as the supreme law of the United States of America. The Constitution of the United States is the oldest constitution in force in the world today. The original constitution has been amended over the years, as intended, to allow for changing ideals to be reflected over time.

 

The Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights is not a completely separate document. Instead, it is a collection of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. Together, these amendments outline the fundamental rights of the people of the United States of America.