Historical Documents

"Help the Guatemalans!" poster
American Baptist Churches v. Thornburgh
ERA 10: Contemporary United States (1968 to the present)
The rough draft of The Declaration of Independence written in June, 1776.
Jefferson’s “original Rough draught” of the Declaration of Independence
ERA 3: Revolution and the New Nation (1754–1820s)
Mexican female laborers engaged in pecan shelling
Pecan Shellers Strike
ERA 8: The Great Depression and World War II (1929–1945)
Original document of the enrolled acts and resolutions of Congress pertaining to the Civil Rights Act
Civil Rights Act 1964
ERA 9: Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970's)
Young Lords members with a sign
The Young Lords Organization
ERA 9: Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970's), ERA 10: Contemporary United States (1968 to the present)
Original Document of the Kansas-Nebraska Act
Kansas-Nebraska Act 1854
ERA 5: Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877)
Sierra Maestra Manifesto
ERA 9: Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970's)
In this isolated mountainous Spanish American community in Ojo Sarco, New Mexico, a one-room school serves students across eight grades with just two teachers. These teachers work with minimal equipment, relying on the blackboard to teach the alphabet, penmanship, and grammar.
Serna v. Portales
ERA 9: Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970's), ERA 10: Contemporary United States (1968 to the present)
Loving v. Virginia 1967
ERA 9: Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970's)
SVREP logo
Southwest Voter Registration Education Project
ERA 9: Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970's), ERA 10: Contemporary United States (1968 to the present)
Puerto Ricans rally for civil rights outside City Hall in New York City.
Katzenbach v. Morgan
ERA 9: Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970's)
Young Mexican men stand outside a jail in Los Angeles, California, after police arrested them during the 1943 Zoot Suit Riots.
Zoot Suit Riots
ERA 8: The Great Depression and World War II (1929–1945)
Picture of Mexican American students protesting
East Los Angeles Walkouts
ERA 10: Contemporary United States (1968 to the present), ERA 9: Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970's)
Temporary Protection Status (TPS)
ERA 10: Contemporary United States (1968 to the present)
LULAC Logo
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
ERA 7: The Emergence of Modern America (1890–1930), ERA 8: The Great Depression and World War II (1929–1945)
Picture of the Proclamation
Proclamation 3869
ERA 10: Contemporary United States (1968 to the present)
Reconstruction Amendments 1865-1870
ERA 5: Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877)
The Plan of San Diego
ERA 7: The Emergence of Modern America (1890–1930)
United States v. Paradise 1987
ERA 10: Contemporary United States (1968 to the present)
President Reagan signing the Immigration Reform and Control Act
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
ERA 10: Contemporary United States (1968 to the present)
Latino Students Protesting Proposition 187
California's Proposition 187
ERA 10: Contemporary United States (1968 to the present)
President Johnson signing the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
ERA 9: Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970's)
Page 1. of the Emancipation Act D.C.
District of Columbia Emancipation Act 1862
ERA 5: Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877)