jul 4, 1776 - US Declaration of Independence

Description:

The Continental Congress formally adopted the US Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776.

When the first combats of the Revolutionary War occurred in Massachusetts in April 1775, only a few people in the American colonies wanted to be completely separated from Great Britain. But as the war continued, and Britain mobilized massive armed forces, more colonists came to accept that asserting independence is the only way forward. As a result, the US Declaration of Independence played a significant role in unifying the colonies.

The US Declaration of Independence declared life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to be inalienable rights. These are negative rights because these are the rights that are enjoyed by virtue of the inactivity of others.

Added to timeline:

Date: