Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Declaration of Independence
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images, Videos & Interactives
John Trumbull: Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence: Table of Contents
The word semiquincentennial appears in white text on a blue background.
How the Declaration of Independence was written
Richard Henry Lee Committee of Congress. Drafting the Declaration of Independence Front view of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, showing its red brick facade, white clock tower, and steeple framed by bare tree branches. Who signed the Declaration of Independence? Declaration of Independence Portrait of Thomas Jefferson by Gilbert Stuart, showing Jefferson with white hair, a white ruffled shirt, and a dark coat against a neutral background.
At a Glance
Intolerable Acts
Declaration of Independence Timeline
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence Key Facts
Common Sense
Declaration of Independence Causes and Effects
Quizzes
Quiz thumbnail, "What Happened on this Very Important Date" quiz. A push pin on a calendar
What Very Big Thing Happened on This Day?
The original copy of the constitution of the United States; housed in the National Archives, Washington, D.C.
American History and Politics Quiz
Declaration of Independence. Close-up photograph of the Declaration of Independence. July 4, 1776, Continental Congress, American history, American Revolution
Famous Documents
Statue of Thomas Jefferson, Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.
History of American Politics
Gutzon Borglum. Presidents. Sculpture. National park. George Washington. Thomas Jefferson. Theodore Roosevelt. Abraham Lincoln. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota.
U.S. History Highlights: Part One
Related Questions
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
John Trumbull: Declaration of Independence
John Trumbull: Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence, oil on canvas by John Trumbull, 1818; in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, Washington, D.C.

Declaration of Independence

United States history
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
Last updated
•History

Declaration of Independence, in U.S. history, document that was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and that announced the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain. It explained why the Congress on July 2 “unanimously” by the votes of 12 colonies (with New York abstaining) had resolved that “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States.” Accordingly, the day on which final separation...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile