Primary sources provide firsthand accounts or direct evidence to the event, person, object or place. These sources were created by participants or witnesses of an event as it occurred or experiences recorded later in the form of an autobiography, memoir or oral history. Many primary sources are available from government entities.
LC Subject Headings
Search Terms to help identify
Primary Sources
- autobiographies
- correspondence
- diaries
- interviews
- law and legislation
- letters
- manuscripts
- memoirs
- papers
- personal narratives
- pamphlets
- sources
- speeches
- statistics
- treaties
Secondary sources, however, provide a more critical analysis of an event, person or object that often interpret primary sources and refer to secondary sources created by other authors to help formulate a less personal account.
"The appearance of hyperlinks on this web site along with the views and opinions of authors, products or services contained therein does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Government, DoD, USAF, or USAFA. These sites are used solely for authorized activities and information that supports the organization's mission. The U.S. Air Force and the Air Force Academy do not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these link locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD Web Site."
U.S. Air Force Academy, USAFA, CO 80840, (719) 333-2590 DSN: 333-2590, Updated 8 Apr 2018
Privacy & Security Notice /
External Link Disclaimer /
Contact USAFA Webmaster /
Accessibility Section 508/
FOIA