What document declared the United States' independence from British rule?

The Declaration of Independence is the document that formally announced the United States' separation from British rule. Adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, it articulated the colonies' grievances against King George III and outlined the Enlightenment principles of individual rights and the social contract, asserting that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. This declaration was a pivotal moment in history, signaling the birth of a new nation dedicated to the principles of liberty and democracy. It represents not only a break from British authority but also the foundational ideas that would later shape the nation's identity.