The document announcing the independence of the United States from Britain is the Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, this seminal document outlined the colonies' grievances against King George III and articulated the fundamental philosophical principles of individual rights and government by consent of the governed. It asserted that all men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Declaration not only marked the formal separation from British rule but also served as an inspiration for future democratic movements around the world.