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Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is the statement adopted by the Second Continental Congress meeting at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1776 -
"E Pluribus Unum"
out of many, one (the motto of the US). -
John Trumbull Sr.
Trumbull developed an extensive trading business. Unlike most colonial traders, who went through middle men in New York and Boston, he established direct connections with merchants in Great Britain. By the 1760s, Trumbull's business was very successful. However, in 1766 he began to suffer irreparable losses in trade and by 1769 he was virtually bankrupt and retired from business. -
US Constitution
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." -
Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. Written by James Madison in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties, the Bill of Rights lists specific prohibitions on governmental power. The Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason, strongly influenced Madison. (https://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/bill-of-rights/) -
John Hancock
John Hancock was an American merchant, smuggler, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first and third Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. -
John Witherspoon
John Witherspoon was a Scottish immigrant. He was a member of the Continental Congress and was also a "Founding Father" -
John Peter Muhlenberg
John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg was an American clergyman, Continental Army soldier during the American Revolutionary War, and political figure in the newly independent United States. He was also one of "The Founding Fathers" -
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Rush was a Founding Father of the United States. Rush was a civic leader in Philadelphia, where he was a physician, politician, social reformer, educator and humanitarian -
5th Amendment
The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides, "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia -
Charles Carroll
Charles Carroll III to distinguish him from his similarly named relatives, was a wealthy Maryland planter and an early advocate of independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain
