Two hundred fifty years ago, a bold group of Americans took an extraordinary step. On July 4, 1776, delegates from the thirteen colonies approved the Declaration of Independence, announcing that they would no longer be ruled by Great Britain and declaring to the world that a new nation was being born. The Declaration was far more than a statement of separation. It proclaimed the revolutionary idea that all people are created equal and are endowed with certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It asserted that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed and that the people have the right to change a government that fails to protect their freedoms.
The Declaration did not end the American Revolution—in fact, the war had already begun and would continue for several more years. But it gave purpose to the struggle and clearly defined the principles for which the Patriots were fighting. Farmers, merchants, soldiers, statesmen, women, enslaved people seeking freedom, Native peoples, and allies from nations such as France and Spain all played roles in the complex story that followed.
As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, we have a unique opportunity to look beyond the familiar names and dates to discover the people, events, and ideas that shaped our nation's founding. The Semiquincentennial is not only a celebration of the Declaration of Independence, but also a chance to reflect on the courage, sacrifices, and aspirations of those who came before us. We invite you to explore their stories, examine the founding ideals that inspired a revolution, and consider how the principles expressed in 1776 continue to influence our nation and our lives today.
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence did not appear overnight. For more than a decade, tensions had been growing between Great Britain and its American colonies. New taxes and trade restrictions, including the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts, sparked protests from colonists who believed they were being taxed without representation. Events such as the Boston Massacre in 1770 and the Boston Tea Party in 1773 deepened the conflict, while Britain's increasingly harsh responses convinced many Americans that their rights as Englishmen were under attack. Yet even after fighting broke out at Lexington and Concord in April 1775, most colonists were not seeking independence.
When the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, many delegates hoped reconciliation was still possible. In a final attempt to restore peace, Congress sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III, affirming the colonies' loyalty and asking him to address their grievances. The king refused to consider the petition and instead declared the colonies to be in open rebellion.
By the summer of 1776, many Americans had concluded that separation was the only remaining option. On June 7, Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution declaring that the colonies "are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States." Congress postponed a final vote to allow delegates time to consult with their colonies, but it also appointed a Committee of Five—Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston—to prepare a declaration explaining the reasons for independence. Jefferson drafted the initial document, drawing upon principles that had been discussed for generations by philosophers, political thinkers, colonial leaders, and ordinary citizens.
The ideas expressed in the Declaration—natural rights, equality, self-government, and the consent of the governed—were not new. Rather, they reflected beliefs that many Americans had come to embrace and were now prepared to defend. After debate and revision, Congress approved the Declaration on July 4, 1776, forever changing the course of American history.
1. Gain a quick overview of the Revolutionary War:
Browse the Revolutionary War Timeline to help put the war’s events into context and relationships.
Read American Revolution Facts to learn basic facts, dates, and information about the war while answering commonly asked questions.
Watch the Revolutionary War Animated Map. This 18-minute video chronologically follows the war’s events from Lexington & Concord to Yorktown.
2. Read about The Intolerable Acts and the Boston Massacre to learn why the colonists took up arms against Great Britain.
3. Watch videos about influential battles throughout the war, like the battles of Lexington and Concord and Brandywine.
4. Meet influential people from both sides of the conflict by reading their biographies, such as George Washington and Charles Cornwallis.
5. Browse original documents from the Revolutionary War, such as Common Sense by Thomas Paine and the Declaration of Independence to learn about the tumultuous political sphere.
6. Learn about the wartime strategy of the British and the resurgence of the Continental Army during the war.
7. Understand how the war was remembered and memorialized with Monuments of the Revolutionary War.