Declaration Of Independence Definition Us History
The declaration of independence.
Declaration of independence definition us history. Declaration of independence a formal opinion or grievance in writing signed in 1776 by us revolutionaries. It explained why the congress on july 2 unanimously by the votes of 12 colonies with new york abstaining had resolved that these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states. It is a comparatively brief essay because it was intended to summarize the grievances of the american colonists against the british crown thus providing justification for the american separation from england.
The united states declaration of independence formally the unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states of america is the pronouncement adopted by the second continental congress meeting in philadelphia pennsylvania on july 4 1776 the declaration explained why the thirteen colonies at war with the kingdom of great britain regarded themselves as thirteen independent sovereign states. Perhaps the greatest of the great documents of american culture is the declaration of independence which was adopted on july 4 1776. The formal statement written by thomas jefferson and adopted july 4 1776 by the second continental congress declaring the thirteen american colonies free and independent of great britain.
Webster s new world college dictionary 4th edition. Instead the thirteen british colonies came together to become a union of new free and independent states. The declaration of independence was the first formal statement by a nation s people asserting their right to choose their own government.
The declaration of independence the founding document of the united states was approved by the continental congress on july 4 1776 and announced the separation of 13 north american british colonies from great britain. We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness the declaration of independence. In philadelphia on july 4 1776 congress formally adopted the declaration of independence.
The declaration was ordered and approved by the continental congress and written largely by thomas jefferson. Declaration of independence the fundamental document establishing the united states as a nation adopted on july 4 1776. It says that the americans were no longer under british rule.
There were fifty six signers. It declared the united states as a free state. When armed conflict between bands of american colonists and.