Videos

Learn more about the Declaration of Independence from such leading historians as David Armitage, James Oliver Horton, Pauline Maier, and Gordon S. Wood. You can watch full lectures (45 minutes to an hour) or short clips that introduce related topics and are particularly suited for classroom use.

Book Breaks

Gilder Lehrman Book Breaks features the most exciting history scholars in America discussing their books live with a Gilder Lehrman host, followed by a Q&A with home audiences. This hourlong program happens every Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. To access these videos, subscribe to Book Breaks (free for Affiliate School teachers and their students).

Here are some of our recent programs focused on the Declaration of Independence.

• The Words That Made Us: America’s Constitutional Conversation: 1760–1840 with Akhil Amar
• The Declaration of Independence: A Global History with David Armitage
• Give Me Liberty with Richard Brookhiser
• The Cause: The American Revolution and Its Discontents, 1773–1783 with Joseph J. Ellis
• Liberty Is Sweet: The Hidden History of the American Revolution with Woody Holton
• Patriotism and Profit: Washington, Hamilton, Schuyler & the Rivalry for America’s Capital City with Susan Nagel
• 1774: Long Year of Revolution with Mary Beth Norton
• American Republics: A Continental History of the United States, 1783–1850 with Alan Taylor
• Thomas Jefferson’s Education with Alan Taylor
• American Enlightenments with Caroline Winterer

Short Takes (one to 4 minutes)

• “The Independence of the States” by David Armitage
• “The International Influence of the Declaration” by David Armitage
• “Slavery and the American Revolution” by James Oliver Horton
• “What Caused the American Revolution?” by Pauline Maier
• “Two American Revolutions” by Andrew Robertson
• “The Significance of the American Revolution” by Gordon Wood

Lectures (up to one hour)

• “The Global History of the Declaration of Independence” by David Armitage
• “American Scripture: The Making of the Declaration of Independence” by Pauline Maier
• “Declaring Independence” by Denver Brunsman (Resources that accompany the lecture can be found here.)