In the 1770s, many people in the 13 Colonies were fed up with being ruled by Great Britain. The British government had passed harsh laws and forced the colonists to pay taxes, or extra fees, on many everyday items. The colonists thought this was unfair and wanted more say in how they were governed. 

Anger grew until it boiled over on April 19, 1775. The colonists fought British soldiers at the battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. The American Revolution had begun. 

A few weeks later, delegates from each colony gathered at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. (It’s now known as Independence Hall.) The group was called the Second Continental Congress. At first, many delegates wanted to try to make peace with Britain. But over the next year, as the Revolution raged on, the call for independence grew louder.

In the 1770s, many people in the 13 Colonies were tired of being ruled by Great Britain. The British government had passed harsh laws. The colonists were forced to pay taxes, or extra fees, on many items. The colonists thought this was unfair. They wanted more say in how they were governed. 

Anger grew until it boiled over on April 19, 1775. The colonists fought British soldiers at the battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. The American Revolution had begun. 

A few weeks later, delegates from each colony got together. They met at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. (It’s now known as Independence Hall). The group was called the Second Continental Congress. At first, many delegates wanted to make peace with Britain. But over the next year, the Revolution raged on. The call for independence grew louder.

Thomas Jefferson of Virginia was chosen to write the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. After more than two weeks of writing, he finished the draft in late June 1776. Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and John Adams of Massachusetts then reviewed it and made some key changes. 

On July 2, the Congress officially voted in favor of separating from Britain. The delegates then worked to finalize the wording of the Declaration. It was approved on July 4—the date we celebrate as Independence Day.

Thomas Jefferson of Virginia wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. He worked on it for more than two weeks. The draft was finished in late June 1776. Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and John Adams of Massachusetts then looked at it. They made some key changes.   

On July 2, the Congress voted to separate from Britain. The delegates then worked on the final wording of the Declaration. It was approved on July 4. That’s the date we celebrate as Independence Day.

No. Most delegates didn’t actually sign the Declaration until August. The version that was approved on July 4 had John Hancock’s name near the bottom. He was the president of the Second Continental Congress. 

The first copies of the Declaration were printed that day. Messengers on horseback soon delivered them throughout the colonies. The Declaration was read aloud in meetings and in town squares. Many colonists celebrated the document that announced their freedom by lighting bonfires and ringing bells. 

No. Most delegates didn’t sign the Declaration until August. But the version from July 4 had John Hancock’s name on it. He was the president of the Second Continental Congress.  

The first copies of the Declaration were printed that day. Messengers on horses delivered them throughout the colonies. The Declaration was read out loud in meetings and in town squares. Many colonists celebrated the document that announced their freedom. They lit bonfires and rang bells. 

It announced that the colonies no longer wanted to be ruled by Great Britain and listed the reasons why. The 13 Colonies were now the “United States of America.” 

“It’s the official statement that says we want to be our own nation and create our own set of laws,” says Rebecca Franco. She works at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia.

The document also outlined America’s values, such as the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

It said that the colonies no longer wanted to be ruled by Great Britain. It also listed the reasons why. The 13 Colonies were now the “United States of America.” 

“It’s the official statement that says we want to be our own nation and create our own set of laws,” says Rebecca Franco. She works at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia.

The document also outlined America’s values. These included the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”