Why would 1776 be a turning point?

1776 is considered a turning point primarily due to the Declaration of Independence, which marked the formal assertion of the American colonies' intention to break free from British rule. This year galvanized revolutionary sentiment, leading to the Revolutionary War and the eventual establishment of the United States as an independent nation. Additionally, the ideas of liberty and self-governance articulated in this period influenced democratic movements worldwide, reshaping political ideologies and systems in many countries.