The primary event in 1776 in American history was the drafting and adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. This seminal document, authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson, articulated the colonies' grievances against British rule and proclaimed their right to self-govern. It emphasized ideals of liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness, justifying the colonies' separation from Great Britain. This act of defiance ignited the American Revolutionary War, rallying citizens to fight for their independence and laying the foundational principles of the United States as a nation committed to democratic ideals.