On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond.
America250 is striving for “350 for 250” — our goal to engage all 350 million Americans by our nation’s 250th anniversary. Join us in celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial by sharing your story through Our American Story or America’s Invitation, inviting students to describe what America means to them as part of America’s Field Trip, or helping make 2026 a record setting year for volunteer service through America Gives.
Subject Specialist
Adrian Legaspi
History, Religious Studies, Political Science, International Studies, and Modern Languages & Literatures Librarian
Through the Oxford Research Encyclopedia (ORE) program, Oxford is building dynamic online encyclopedias in 20+ disciplines that will be continuously updated by the world's leading scholars, scientists, and researchers. With expert editors and peer-review, the ORE project will combine the discoverability of digital with the standards of academic publishing. The Oxford Research Encyclopedia of American History is overseen by Jon Butler of Yale University and an editorial board of subject experts, ensuring a comprehensive, encyclopedic map of the field.
The American Antiquarian Society (AAS) Historical Periodicals Collection include digitized images of the pages of American magazines and journals from the American Antiquarian Society, the premier library documenting the life of America's people from the Colonial Era through the Civil War and Reconstruction. This collection exists as a series of five databases that include 6,500 titles featuring more than 10 million pages of content published between 1691 and 1876.
Includes manuscripts, artwork and rare printed books ranging from the earliest contact with European settlers right up to photographs and newspapers from the mid-twentieth century.
Comprised of two modules (Module I- Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 and Module II- Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945) this collection documents American History from the earliest settlers to the mid-twentieth century.
Colonial America makes available all 1,450 volumes of the CO 5 series from The National Archives, UK, covering the period 1606 to 1822. CO 5 consists of the original correspondence between the British government and the governments of the American colonies, making it a uniquely rich resource for all historians of the period
Everyday Life & Women in America c.1800-1920 showcases unique primary source material for the study of American social, cultural, and popular history in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
ARTstor consists of a repository of hundreds of thousands of digital images and related data including the tools to actively use those images and a restricted-usage environment that seeks to balance the rights of content providers with the needs and interests of content users. The ARTstor collections are comprised of contributions from museums, individual photographers, scholars, special collections at libraries, and photo archives. All images are accompanied by comprehensive metadata and are rights-cleared for educational use.
This digital collection of primary source documents helps us to understand existence on the edges of the anglophone world from 1650-1920. Discover the various European and colonial frontier regions of North America, Africa and Australasia through documents that reveal the lives of settlers and indigenous peoples in these areas.
This unique collection showcases the development of 'popular' medicine in America during the nineteenth century, through an extensive range of material that was aimed at the general public rather than medical professionals. Explore an array of printed sources, including rare books, pamphlets, trade cards, and visually-rich advertising ephemera.
American Historical Newspapers & Imprints
America's Historical Imprints
Contains monographs, pamphlets, broadsides, government documents and ephemera. Available here: Civil War Broadsides and Ephemera; Early American Imprints, Series I: Evans, 1639-1800; Early American Imprints, Series II: Shaw-Shoemaker, 1801-1819.
American Prison Newspapers, 1800 - 2020
American Prison Newspapers brings together hundreds of newspapers published within prisons by incarcerated people over the past 200 years. When complete, the collection will contain newspapers from prisons in every state, representing penal institutions of all kinds, including women-only institutions.
Bringing together rare journals printed between 1685 and 1835, this resource illuminates all aspects of eighteenth-century social, political and literary life. Topics covered are wide-ranging and include colonial life, provincial and rural affairs, the French and American revolutions, reviews of literature and fashion throughout Europe, political debates, and London coffee house gossip and discussion.
ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Defender (1910-1975)
This historical newspaper provides genealogists, researchers and scholars with online, easily-searchable first-hand accounts and unparalleled coverage of the politics, society and events of the time.
This historical newspaper provides genealogists, researchers and scholars with online, easily-searchable first-hand accounts and unparalleled coverage of the politics, society and events of the time. From leading issues and events, like the U.S. Civil War, immigration, westward expansion, industrial developments, race relations, and World War I and II; to international, local and regional politics, society, arts, culture, business, and sports, ProQuest Historical Newspapers reveals the day-to-day news coverage to researchers and historical explorers, providing invaluable insights and information to users from a wide range of subjects.
ProQuest Historical Newspapers: New York Amsterdam News (1922-1993)
ProQuest Historical Newspapers New York Amsterdam News: 1922-1993 offers full page and article images with searchable full text. The collection includes digital reproductions providing access to every page from every available issue.
ProQuest Historical Newspapers: New York Tribune (1841-1922)
ProQuest Historical Newspapers - The New York Tribune is a full image archive. The database delivers every page of every available issue from cover to cover, with full page and article images in downloadable PDF from 1841 to 1922.
ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Philadelphia Tribune (1912-2001)
The Philadelphia Tribune (1912-2001) offers full page and article images with searchable full text. The collection includes digital reproductions providing access to every page from every available issue.
With more than 60 premier historical titles, ProQuest Historical Newspapers is the definitive newspaper digital archive empowering researchers to digitally travel back through centuries to become eyewitnesses to history. From leading issues and events, like the U.S. Civil War, immigration, westward expansion, industrial developments, race relations, and World War I and II; to international, local and regional politics, society, arts, culture, business, and sports, ProQuest Historical Newspapers reveals the day-to-day news coverage to researchers and historical explorers, providing invaluable insights and information to users from a wide range of subjects.
Databases
GovInfo
Provides free public access to official publications from all three branches of the Federal Government.
Digital National Security Archive
Collection of significant primary documents central to U.S. foreign and military policy since 1945.
Provides full-text journals and periodicals pertaining to all branches of the military and government. Designed to offer current news to military members, analysts, policy makers, students and researchers.
The official web portal of the United States federal government. It is designed to improve the public's interaction with the US government by quickly directing website visitors to the services or information they are seeking, and by inviting the public to share ideas to improve government.
Want More?
This is a list of just some of the government agencies that have put together special web pages to celebrate the 250th Anniversary. These include historical documents, videos, events, online exhibits, and many fascinating stories.
PBS, 6 episodes - THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION examines how America’s founding turned the world upside-down. Thirteen British colonies on the Atlantic Coast rose in rebellion, won their independence, and established a new form of government that radically reshaped the continent and inspired centuries of democratic movements around the globe. An expansive look at the virtues and contradictions of the war and the birth of the United States of America, the film follows dozens of figures from a wide variety of backgrounds. Through their individual stories, viewers experience the war through the memories of the men and women who experienced it: the rank-and-file Continental soldiers and American militiamen (some of them teenagers), Patriot political and military leaders, British Army officers, American Loyalists, Native soldiers and civilians, enslaved and free African Americans, German soldiers in the British service, French and Spanish allies, and various civilians living in North America, Loyalist as well as Patriot, including many made refugees by the war. The Revolution began a movement for people around the world to imagine new and better futures for themselves, their nations, and for humanity. It declared American independence with promises that we continue to strive for. The American Revolution opened the door to advance civil liberties and human rights, and it asked questions that we are still trying to answer today.
10 Things You Don't Know About
10 Things You Don't Know About is an American history/biography television series. Each episode of the show presents ten facts about a particular historical figure, group, event, or aspect that are not widely known among the general public. Topics include the founding fathers, the White House, and the flag.
This program explores the often-overlooked contributions of indigenous people to major events in American history. Featuring Native American men who were leaders in their fields and communities, the program highlights their extraordinary accomplishments. These men, including Jim Thorpe, Chief Dan George, Geronimo, Sitting Bull, Gregg Deal, Albert Bander, Will Rogers, John Herrington, and Wes Studi, made significant contributions to American culture and history as actors, activists, artists, athletes, and more.
This program celebrates notable Hispanic American women whose influence has touched every walk of life. From artists to astronauts, writers to politicians, and singers to actors, Hispanic Americans have made their mark in history and changed the world. Celebrating the contributions these Latino-American heroes have made to our country helps us find unity in our diversity, strength in our democracy and an understanding of the rich culture that enriches the fabric of the American dream. These women show us how powerful they are as individuals and how much they have inspired others with their dedication, unshakable drive and determination. Join us as we discover the fascinating lives of these extraordinary women, including Rita Moreno, Julia Alvarez, Joan Baez, Salma Hayek, Gloria Estefan, Toypurina (First Civil Rights Advocate), Emma Tenayuca (Labor Rights Activist), Frida Kahlo (Artist), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (US Representative), Selena Ellen Ochoa (First Hispanic Woman in Space), Linda Ronstadt, Jenifer Lopez, Dolores Huerta (Female Women's Rights Advocate), Julia Alvarez (Writer) and Chief Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
This program celebrates influential Hispanic men in the United States who have made significant contributions to society. It explores the lives and achievements of these inspirational figures, highlighting their impact on education, politics, science, medicine, exploration, music, literature, and sports. The program features a diverse range of individuals, including Cesar Chavez, Mario Molino, Dr. Hector P. Garcia, Henry Cisneros, Desi Arnaz, Roberto Clemente, Ritchie Valens, Jim Plunkett, Mario Lopez, Ruben Salazar, Carlos Santana, Alex Rodriguez, Danny Trejo, Fernando Valenzuela, and Anthony Quinn, showcasing how they have shaped society as we know it today.
This program celebrates the incredible achievements of African American inventors whose work has transformed lives and industries. George Washington Carver revolutionized agriculture by promoting sustainable farming methods and discovering hundreds of uses for crops like peanuts and sweet potatoes. Garrett Morgan invented life-saving devices including the gas mask and the traffic signal, enhancing public safety worldwide. Lewis Latimer improved the design of the incandescent light bulb, making electric lighting more practical and accessible. Marie Van Brittan Brown co-invented the first home security system, pioneering the technology behind modern surveillance and safety systems. Granville Woods, known as the Black Edison, developed groundbreaking technologies in railway and communication systems, forever changing the way people connect and travel. This program highlights their perseverance, creativity, and enduring impact on the world, making it an inspiring resource for educators, students, and history enthusiasts.
America the Beautiful
The National Parks: America's Best Idea - This Ken Burns series is the story of an idea as uniquely American as the Declaration of Independence: that the most special places in the nation should be preserved for everyone. The series traces the birth of the national park idea in the mid-1800s and follows its evolution for nearly 150 years, chronicling the addition of new parks through the stories of the people who helped create them.
Yellowstone: The First National Park - The first dedicated National Park anywhere in the world, Yellowstone attracts 318 million visitors every year. It was saved for posterity by the work of two pioneering artists.
The Story of the Grand Canyon National Park - The Grand Canyon is one of America's greatest and most recognized natural icons. Carved by the Colorado River in Arizona, the canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and is mostly contained within the Grand Canyon National Park. Its preservation as a National Park dates back to the forward-thinking president Theodore Roosevelt, who certainly would have approved of the efforts made by the producers of this documentary in telling the incredible story of this natural wonder.
Yosemite: Preserving the Wild - The name Yosemite brings thoughts of grandeur to mind: Yosemite Falls, Half-Dome, Glacier Point, and El Capitan. And this spectacularly filmed documentary, starring Lee Majors, certainly explores and shares the wonder and history of this magnificent National Park, one of the greatest land reserves in the world.
Everglades - One's of the largest wetlands on our planet is a puzzle of different habitats and home to thousands of species like alligators and the elusive Florida panther.
PBS, 9 episodes - The film vividly embraces the entire sweep of the war: the complex causes and lasting effects of America's greatest and most moving calamity, the battles and the homefront, the generals and the private soldiers, the anguish of death in battle and the grief of families at home.
Each volume contains at least 5 speeches, in their entirety, by some of the greatest speakers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Each speech is prefaced by a biographical narration providing historical context, significance and the rhetorical devices found in each speech. Examples include John F. Kennedy's inaugural address; Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech; and Ronald Reagan's "Tear Down This Wall!" speech. For further details, visit the website.
Modern Marvels focuses on how technologies are used in modern society. The series covers various topics involving (to list a few): science, technology, electronics, mechanics, engineering, architecture, industry, mass production, manufacturing, and agriculture. Each episode typically discusses the history and production of several related items. Many of the episodes focus on the U.S. including the Alaskan Oil Pipeline, George Washington Carver Tech, and Space Shuttle.
University of Miami's Special Collection
The Department of Special Collections is home to a wide array of rare books, manuscripts, archival collections, photographs and audio-visual items, maps, architectural drawings, artists’ books, zines, photographic collections, and other research materials that document the history of Florida, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and beyond.
All of the materials held in Special Collections, from 15th century books to 21st century restaurant menus, are open to use by the public as well as the university community. Special Collections is dedicated to supporting research and teaching using the collections and actively acquires new materials to create a fuller historical record.
We are also the home to the Jay I. Kislak Collection of the Early Americas, Exploration, and Navigation, a renowned gathering of maps, books, artifacts, artwork, and ephemera documenting the history of the Western Hemisphere, including the North and South Poles.
Selected Primary Source Material in Special Collections
Included on this page are some of the digitized materials in Special Collections that are connected to the early history of the United States and Florida, click the link below each image to be taken to the UM Libraries’ Digital Collections portal.
A Librarian