Declaration of Independence: Did you mean...?

The Anschluss ('fusion') of 12 March 1938 was the annexation and formal union of Austria with Germany. Adolf Hitler (1889-1945), the Nazi leader of Germany, dreamed of an empire which enclosed all German speakers, his 'Greater Germany'. Hitler's...

John Hancock (1737-1793) was a merchant, politician, and Founding Father of the United States, who helped lead the Patriot movement during the American Revolution (1765-1789). He served as president of the Second Continental Congress from...

Patrick Henry (1736-1799) was a Virginian lawyer and politician who played a vital role in the American Revolution (c. 1765-1789). Known for his brilliant oration, including the famous Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death speech, Henry served...

The Mayflower Compact is the agreement between the 41 male passengers of the ship Mayflower establishing the form of government of the Plymouth Colony (1620-1691), signed on 11 November 1620 off the coast of present-day Massachusetts, USA...

George III of Great Britain (r. 1760-1820) was the third of the Hanoverian monarchs, and he remains the longest-reigning king in British history. His six decades on the throne saw the creation of the United Kingdom, the loss of the 13 American...

James Armistead Lafayette (l. c. 1748-1832) was an African American Patriot who served the Continental Army as a spy during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). During the Siege of Yorktown, he infiltrated the British camp to bring...

The Battle of Long Island (27 August 1776), or the Battle of Brooklyn, was an important battle of the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). It resulted in the defeat of the Continental Army and led to the eventual British occupation of...

Batavian revolt was a rebellion of the Batavians against the Romans in 69-70 CE. After initial successes by their commander Julius Civilis, the Batavians were ultimately defeated by the Roman general Quintus Petillius Cerialis. The year...

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), statesman and signatory of the Declaration of Independence, oil on canvas portrait by Joseph-Siffred Duplessis, painted in Paris, c. 1785. National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C.

John Hancock (1737-1793), a wealthy Boston merchant and future American Founding Father and signer of the Declaration of Independence, oil on canvas by John Singleton Copley, 1765. Museum of Fine Arts Boston.