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Lesson 34 of 84 · U.S. History
European Exploration of the Americas
Primary sources — letters, photographs, diaries, speeches — were created at the time of an event. They give firsthand evidence of what people experienced and thought.
Key Facts
1
Oral histories preserve community stories.
2
Primary sources come from the time of the event.
3
Historians use evidence to support claims.
Timeline
1776
The Declaration of Independence is signed
1787
The U.S. Constitution is written
1791
The Bill of Rights is ratified
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2What is an artifact?