A primary resource is a first hand document from the time period you are studying. Because primary resources are from the time you are studying, they help you understand the time better and picture the events in your head.

Yesterday, we read a wonderful book about Rosa Parks. We learned that she was arrested for not giving up her seat on a bus to a white bus rider. In her book, Mrs. Parks discussed going to jail and being finger printed. Below are some primary documents from her court case. She was charged with a fine of $10.00 (which was worth more back then), but she never paid it because she did not believe it was a fair law! A year later the buses were integrated.