The Declaration of Independence Adopted
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress officially approved the Declaration of Independence, a document that declared the thirteen American colonies were no longer under British rule. It was mainly written by Thomas Jefferson, with help from other leaders, and it explained why the colonies were breaking away from King George III.
The document said people have basic rights like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It also listed complaints against Britain, including heavy taxes and lack of fair representation. These issues had been building up for years and pushed the colonies toward rebellion.
Even though the decision to declare independence had been made a couple of days earlier, July 4 became the date tied to the final, official version of the document. It marked a major turning point in the American Revolution and the beginning of the United States as a new nation.
