Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence 

What is the Declaration of Independence? 

The Declaration of Independence is a document that was approved by the Continental Congress and that announced the separation of the American colonies from the nation of Britain. The Declaration of Independence is one of the most famous documents in American history and it formally declared America to be its own country that would govern itself. 

When Was the Declaration of Independence Approved? 

The Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress on July, 4th, 1776. This day subsequently became known as Independence Day, one of America’s most important national holidays. The Declaration of Independence was approved during the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. 

Who Wrote the Declaration of Independence? 

A committee of five men, known as the Committee of Five was tasked by the Continental Congress to write the Declaration of Independence. These five men consisted of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Thomas Jefferson was the primary writer of the Declaration. However, the other men edited Jefferson’s draft. 

What was the Content of the Declaration of Independence? 

The Declaration of Independence primarily consisted of an explanation of why it is necessary for people to form their own governments when they are being mistreated and gave a list of reasons why the colonies believed themselves to be mistreated by Great Britain. Among the grievances against the British crown listed in the Declaration of Independence were taxation without representation, the denial of trial by jury, the forced quartering of British soldiers, keeping standing armies in America without the consent of Americans, destroying the lives, of American people, etc. 

Who Signed the Declaration of Independence?