Declaration
United States Declaration of Independence, 1776
The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776, declaring the thirteen United Colonies free and independent states.
What happened
The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776. The declaration opened: "When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another..."[1] Its concluding operative paragraph stated: "We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled...do...solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States."[1]
Sources for this page
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
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1.
Claim: The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776. Its opening read: "When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another..." Its concluding operative paragraph stated: "We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled...do...solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States."
- Continental Congress, Declaration of Independence: A Transcription (National Archives and Records Administration, 4 July 1776) link, declaration text. Government perspective or primary official source Source record