Adopted on July 4, 1776, The Declaration of Independence stands as the foundational document of the United States and a landmark in human history. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it proclaimed the thirteen American colonies free from British rule, articulating the revolutionary principle that "all men are created equal" and endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. More than a formal break from empire, the Declaration articulated a philosophy of government rooted in consent of the governed. Its eloquent ideals have inspired countless movements for freedom and equality across the world, echoing through generations.
