THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE - 1776 - July 4 - Unanimous Declaration

Sep 4, 2026

Unanimous Declaration text records the formal reasons for dissolving political ties between the thirteen united States and Great Britain and assuming an equal, separate station among world powers. It states that the people’s “decent respect” requires declaring causes that impel separation, frames natural law and the authority of God, and affirms self-evident truths: equality, unalienable rights, and the purpose of governments derived from consent. It further justifies altering or abolishing destructive forms and lists grievances against the king.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time5 min

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IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

Causes for Separation and Natural Rights

Government by Consent

Grievances Against the King

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE—1776 1 IN CONGRESS , JULY 4, 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America WHEN in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. 1 The delegates of the United Colonies of New Hampshire; Massachusetts Bay; Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; Connecticut; New York; New Jersey; Pennsylvania; New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, in Delaware; Maryland; Virginia; North Carolina, and South Carolina, In Congress assembled at Philadelphia, Resolved on the 10th of May, 1776, to recommend to the respective assemblies and conventions of the United Colonies, where no government sufficient to the exigencies of their affairs had been established, to adopt such a government as should, in the opinion of the representatives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular, and of America in general. A preamble to this resolution, agreed to on the 15th of May, stated the intention to be totally to suppress the exercise of every kind of authority under the British crown. On the 7th of June, certain resolutions respecting independency were moved and seconded. On the 10th of June it was resolved, that a committee should be appointed to prepare a declaration to the following effect: ‘‘That the United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown; and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.’’ On the preceding day it was determined that the committee for preparing the declaration should consist of five, and they were chosen accordingly, in the following order: Mr. Jefferson, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Sherman, Mr. R. R. Livingston. On the 11th of June a resolution was passed to appoint a committee to prepare and digest the form of a confederation to be entered into between the colonies, and another committee to prepare a plan of treaties to be proposed to foreign powers. On the 12th of June, it was resolved, that a committee of Congress should be appointed by the name of a board of war and ordnance, to consist of five members. On the 25th of June, a declaration of the deputies of Pennsylvania, met in provincial conference, expressing their willingness to concur in a vote declaring the United Colonies free and independent States, was laid before Congress and read. On the 28th of June, the committee appointed to prepare a declaration of independence brought in a draught, which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. On the 1st of July, a resolution of the convention of Maryland, passed the 28th of June, authorizing the deputies of that colony to concur in declaring the United Colonies free and independent States, was laid before Congress and read. On the same day Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the resolution respecting independency. On the 2d of July, a resolution declaring the colonies free and independent States, was adopted. A declaration to that effect was, on the same and the following days, taken into further consideration. Finally, on the 4th of July, the Declaration of Independence was agreed to, engrossed on paper, signed by John Hancock as president, and directed to be sent to the several assemblies, conventions, and committees, or councils of safety, and to the several commanding officers of the continental troops, and to be proclaimed in each of the United States, and at the head of the Army. It was also ordered to be entered upon the Journals of Congress, and on the 2d of

FAQs

What does the Declaration say is required before the colonies separate from Britain?

It states that a decent respect for the opinions of mankind requires declaring the causes that impel separation.

What “self-evident truths” are stated in the Declaration?

All men are created equal, endowed with unalienable rights including Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

When does the Declaration say people may alter or abolish a government?

When any form of government becomes destructive of those ends, the right of the people is to alter or abolish it and institute new government.

Sep 4, 2026

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