What is the dealaration of independence?

The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, is a historic document in which the thirteen American colonies declared their independence from British rule. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it outlines the philosophical justifications for separation, emphasizing the principles of individual rights and government by consent. The document asserts that all men are created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It marked the formal beginning of the United States as a sovereign nation.