The writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence was a significant event in American history. The document was primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson with input from other delegates of the Continental Congress. It proclaimed the thirteen American colonies' separation from Great Britain and their intent to form a new nation, the United States of America. It articulated the fundamental rights of all men, including the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and emphasized the right of the people to alter or abolish an unjust government. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration was adopted by the Continental Congress and signed by fifty-six delegates, marking a pivotal moment in the American Revolution and paving the way for the establishment of an independent nation.
