On July 4, 1776, the thirteen American colonies declared their independence from Britain. This pivotal document, drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, underscored the colonists' desire for liberty, equality, and self-governance. Below is an excerpt of this historic text:
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 signing of the Declaration of Independence marked the birth of a new nation, forged with the belief that government should derive its power from the consent of the governed.