Declaration of Independence (U.S.)

The Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1776, is a document in which the American colonies declared their decision to break away from British rule. It articulates the colonies' reasons for seeking independence, emphasizing ideals like liberty, equality, and self-governance. The document asserts that all people have rights that cannot be taken away and that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. If a government becomes tyrannical, the people have the right to change or abolish it. This declaration marked the birth of the United States and justified the colonies' quest for independence.