Which document announced the independence of the United States?

The Declaration of Independence is the document that announced the independence of the United States. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, it formally declared the thirteen American colonies free from British rule. The Declaration outlines the philosophical justification for independence, emphasizing the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and it articulates a grievance against King George III. This powerful statement of principles was crucial in rallying support for the American Revolution and in establishing the colonies as a separate and sovereign entity.

In contrast, the Constitution serves as the fundamental governing document of the United States, establishing the framework for the government; the Bill of Rights is a collection of amendments that guarantee individual freedoms after the Constitution was ratified; and the Articles of Confederation were the first governing agreement among the states but proved ineffective, eventually leading to the drafting of the Constitution. Each of these documents plays a significant role in U.S. history, but it is the Declaration of Independence that specifically declares the nation's separation from British rule.