General George Washington held a rally to launch his 2016 campaign to promote participation in the democratic process. Follow along at itstartshere2016.org

One of the most significant documents in Constitutional History, George Washington's Farewell Address, is a letter written by the first American President, George Washington, with the help of Alexander Hamilton, to "The People of the United States." Washington wrote the letter near the end of his second term as President.

A Short Activity for Fifth Grade
Question: How does the U.S. Constitution organize the government?
Note: The "Guidance on Government: Federal Edition" Powerpoint, also available in eMedia, was created to accompany this lesson plan.

A Short Activity for Fifth Grade
Question: How does the U.S. Constitution organize the government?
Note: The "Guidance on Government: Federal Edition" lesson plan, also available in eMedia, was created to accompany this PowerPoint.

A Short Activity for Fourth Grade
Question: How does the Florida Constitution organize the government?
Note: The "Guidance on Government: State Edition" Powerpoint, also available in eMedia, was created to accompany this lesson plan.

A Short Activity for Fourth Grade
Question: How does the Florida Constitution organize the government?
Note: The "Guidance on Government: State Edition" lesson plan, also available in eMedia, was created to accompany this PowerPoint.

Thomas Jefferson explains the importance of the Bill of Rights.
Colonial Williamsburg's Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership provides American history and civics materials nationwide. For more great videos, lesson plans, interactive games and more, create a free account on the Colonial Williamsburg Education Resource Library: resourcelibrary.history.org.

Citizens of the United States have celebrated Independence Day and Presidents' Day since the 1870s, and in 2005, the nation began to celebrate Constitution Day. Also know as Citizenship Day, Constitution Day is an American holiday honoring the day 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the United States Constitution. This historic date was September 17, 1787.

When the Founding Fathers weren't out fighting wars, drafting important documents like the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, or helping to found a country, they were at home with their families and businesses. Here are the places the Founding Fathers called "home," and some interesting facts about each man's personal estate.

In May, 1787 the 55 Delegates to the United States Constitutional Convention set off to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Traveling in the late 18th century wasn't easy, and what would take modern Americans just hours took the Founding Fathers weeks. The Delegates from New Hampshire were particularly unlucky, and wouldn't arrive at the Convention until the middle of July, after it had already been in session for two months!

The United States Constitution continues to be America's guiding document. Join James Madison as he explores the Constitution and his hopes for the future of the country.

Join Thomas Jefferson on July 2, 1776, as he discusses the impending Declaration of Independence, and the promises made by that work. Will his dreams be fulfilled? And what will the legacy be of the document?

John Jay was a man of great achievement. During his lifetime he was a Founding Father, Signer of the Treaty of Paris, Second Governor of New York, and First Chief Justice of the United States.

In this one-minute video, students learn about the judicial branch of government. A host explains the structure and function of the judicial branch, and students will analyze the role that the judicial branch plays in the United States government.

What is jury duty, and why is it important? In this one-minute video, students learn about jury duty. A host explains what a jury is and how juries are selected, then students consider why jury duty is an important civic duty.

Can’t make it in-person? Join our special livestream of the Sunday presentation of "An Evening with the Presidents.” Join Washington, Jefferson, and Madison this President’s Day weekend for a special LIVE! from History online evening event. The Presidents will explore how their administrations navigated party, faction, and the extensive differences that challenged America during their times. Recognizing that throughout our history, the United States has been a nation divided politically with different opinions and points of view. This was as much the case in our infancy as it is today. Hosted by Barbara Hamm Lee.

In colonial Virginia, those that followed religions other than the Church of England were considered dissenters.” Meet some of Williamsburg’s religious dissenters and hear about their hopes for change.

Join George Mason, author of the first draft of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, on May 27, 1776. Hear about its creation, his opinion on the necessity of a bill of a rights, and the debate that ensued.

After spying for the Marquis de Lafayette, James was not given his freedom and continued to fight for years after to gain it. He fought for even longer to ensure the freedom of his family. Looking back on his life, James Lafayette talks on the challenges he faced being a newly freed Black man in a lawfully unequal society.

Meet Myrtilla, an enslaved mother and houseservant owned by Thomas Everard. She has lived in Williamsburg all her life and seen many changes take place throughout the city, including whispers of revolution. Come hear her perspective on the what has happened and what the Declaration of Independence means for herself, her children, and others in her condition.