Illustration by Chris Danger

Benjamin Franklin

This Founding Father helped create the documents that shaped the United States.

September 5, 2022

by Poppy Livingstone

As You Read: Find two documents, or important papers, that Franklin helped create.

Benjamin Franklin loved to invent things. As a kid in Boston, Massachusetts, he wanted to swim faster. So he made wooden fins for his hands. Later, he created eyeglasses called bifocals to help people see better. He even made a lightning rod to protect buildings in storms.

But, most important, Franklin helped invent the United States!

Benjamin Franklin loved to invent things. As a kid in Boston, Massachusetts, he wanted to swim faster. So he made wooden fins for his hands. Later, he created eyeglasses called bifocals. They helped people see better. He even made a lightning rod. It protected buildings in storms.

But, most important, Franklin also helped invent the United States!

A Love of Learning

When Franklin was 10, he had to stop going to school. He had to work with his dad to make candles and soap. But that didn’t stop Franklin from learning. He read hundreds of books on his own!

When Franklin was 17, he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started making his own books and newspapers there.

At the time, America was made up of 13 colonies controlled by Great Britain. Franklin wrote about Britain’s leaders in his papers. He often disagreed with these leaders. And he wasn’t alone!

When Franklin was 10, he had to stop going to school. He had to work with his dad. They made candles and soap. But not going to school didn’t stop Franklin from learning. He read hundreds of books on his own!

When Franklin was 17, he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started making his own books and newspapers there.

At the time, America was made up of 13 colonies. They were controlled by Great Britain. Franklin wrote about Britain’s leaders in his papers. He often disagreed with these leaders. And he wasn’t alone!

Using His Words

Franklin and many other colonists thought the British government was being unfair to them. They paid taxes but had no say in how the British government was run. They wanted to break free from Britain.

In 1775, the American Revolution began. The war for independence was on.

Franklin and other leaders from the colonies held a secret meeting in Philadelphia. There, Franklin helped Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence. This document said colonists were free from Britain.

After many battles, the colonists won their freedom in 1783. Now they had to plan for a new country.

Franklin and many other colonists thought the British government was being unfair to them. They paid taxes. But they had no say in how the British government was run. They wanted to break free from Britain.

In 1775, the American Revolution began. The war for independence was on.

After many battles, the colonists won their freedom in 1783. Now they had to plan for a new country.

A Brand-New Nation

In 1787, Franklin helped create the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution described how the country would be run. Many people think it’s our nation’s most important document.

Three years after signing it, Franklin died. But the role he played in our nation’s history lives on.

In 1787, Franklin helped create the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution described how the country would be run. Many people think it’s our nation’s most important document.

Three years after signing it, Franklin died. But the role he played in our nation’s history lives on.