Read the complete text from the book "Up from Slavery: An Autobiography", by Booker T. Washington, in which he explores his journey from slave to educator. Includes illustrations, biographical facts, and links to further information on his life.

Here, read the entire text to "Fifty Years in Chains; or, The Life of an American Slave," which was written by Charles Ball and originally published in 1859.

Here, read Harriet Jacobs' (1802-1880 CE) "Incident in the Life of a Slave Girl" and learn biographical information about Jacobs. Also provided at this website are several reports by Jacobs on the conditions of slaves and freedmen and three reviews of "Incidents," which were written in 1861.

This site, from the University of North Carolina, provides the full text of "My Life in the South," the autobiography of an emancipated slave, Jacob Stroyer(1849-1908). The text is complete and in-depth with a full introduction and photos of the original publication.

This gives the history of the Civil War from its beginning to the Battle of Richmond in poetic verse written by John Hill Hewitt (1801-1890 CE). The introduction firmly establishes the sourthern sympathies of the writer.

HTML full text of the "Life and Times of Frederick Douglass," the autobiography of the 19th century African American abolitionist (1818-1895).

UNC's resource provides links to download the entire text of "Narrative of James Williams, an American Slave," which was published in 1838. Included are 1838 articles from "The Liberator," in which the authenticity of this narrative is debated.

The official report by a joint select committee of the Congress of the Confederate States of America investigating the treatment of prisoners of war in Confederate prisons. An interesting look at a primary source document reflecting the views of the Confederacy.

From the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries, this site provides the complete "Confessions of Nat Turner" complete with images of the original pages published of the confession.

Interactive exhibition makes use of personal letters and diaries to document the life and experiences of Civil War nurse Amanda Akin.

Ibiblio.org offers links to three documents signed by Germany, Japan, and Italy during World War II.

These primary source documents from "Readings in European History" contain texts that describe the provisional government set up in Paris, the second French Republic, and Louis Napoleon's Campaign Manifesto.

This letter, from a farmer in 1767, addresses his conceerns regarding the Townshend Duties and their effect on the colonies as a whole.

This site provides the full text of Bram Stoker's Dracula in a variety of formats.

Learn about the Dred Scott decision and why it changed the course of American history even though many now consider it the worst opinion ever rendered by the U.S. Supreme Court. Includes full-page scans of the decision, a transcription, and background information on its significance.

This is the full text of the 1963 Equal Pay Act which ensured equal pay for women.

An assessment of the horrific tragedy of the chemical pollution whcih seeped into the town of Love Canal. Written by an EPA administrator just months after carcinogenic materials began leaching into yards and the public school built over the dump site, this article gives an almost contemporaneous look at the disaster.

This collection uses primary sources to explore early Chinese immigration to the United States. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.

This primary source document is the statement of purpose for the National Organization for Women, established in 1966.

Download Edgar Allan Poe's "Tales," which was published in 1845, four years prior to his death. Read popular short stories such as, "The Black Hat," "The Fall of the House of Usher," and "The Purloined Letter." Also, read biographical information about Poe.