The Declaration of Independence is the founding document that formally announced the American Colonies’ break from British rule. Adopted on July 4, 1776, it laid the philosophical and moral foundation for American self-governance, asserting that individuals possess inherent rights and that governments must be accountable to the people. While it didn’t create a government or legal framework, the Declaration marked the birth of the United States as a sovereign nation.
> Hear why the Continental Congress decided to declare independence, how the text took shape, and why it inspired more than a hundred independence movements worldwide. (More)
> The Declaration has survived centuries of travel, damage, and preservation missteps. (More)
The document was created amid escalating conflict between the Colonies and the British crown over taxation, representation, trade restrictions, and military control. The Second Continental Congress appointed a drafting committee led by Thomas Jefferson, with John Adams and Benjamin Franklin serving in key editorial roles.
> Meet the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence—most of whom didn’t put pen to paper until August 2, 1776—and see their original signatures. (More)
> Watch how the Stamp Act of 1765 helped spark the American Revolution. (More, w/vid)
Structured as a political argument, the Declaration opens with a statement of universal principles, followed by a list of grievances against King George III. It concludes by asserting the Colonies’ complete independence from Great Britain. Its claim that governments exist by popular consent—and can be changed if they fail—has shaped revolutions abroad and reform movements within the US for centuries.
> The document was a calculated appeal for foreign allies. (More)
> Congress approved independence on July 2, leading many founding fathers to believe that would be the date of American Independence Day. (More)
Discover more:
> The British refused to pose for a portrait of the negotiations to end the Revolutionary War, leaving the painting permanently unfinished. (More)
> What “National Treasure” got right—and wrong—about the Declaration. (More)
> See how the National Archives protects America’s founding documents. (More)
