In the 1770s, many people in the 13 Colonies were fed up. The British government had forced the colonists to pay taxes, or extra fees, on many items. The colonists felt this was unfair. They wanted a say in how they were governed.

Anger grew until it boiled over in April 1775. The colonists fought British soldiers at the battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. The American Revolution had begun. 

A few weeks later, delegates from each colony met at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. (The building is now known as Independence Hall.) This group of delegates was called the Second Continental Congress. As they met over the next year, the American Revolution raged on. And the call for independence in the colonies grew louder.

In the 1770s, many people in the 13 Colonies were fed up. The British government had forced them to pay taxes on many items. These were extra fees. The colonists felt this was unfair. They wanted a say in how they were ruled.

Their anger boiled over in April 1775. The colonists fought British soldiers. They faced off at the battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. The American Revolution had begun. 

A few weeks later, delegates from each colony got together. They met at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. (It is now known as Independence Hall.) This group was called the Second Continental Congress. As it met over the next year, the Revolution raged on. The call for independence in the colonies grew louder.

Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. He worked on it for more than two weeks, finishing in late June 1776. Benjamin Franklin and John Adams then reviewed it and made some key changes. 

On July 2, the Congress officially voted to separate from Britain. The delegates then worked to finalize the Declaration. It was approved on July 4. That’s why we celebrate Independence Day on this date.

Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. He worked on it for more than two weeks. The draft was finished in late June 1776. Benjamin Franklin and John Adams then looked at it. They made some key changes.   

On July 2, the Congress voted. The colonies would separate from Britain. The delegates then worked on the final wording of the Declaration. It was approved on July 4. That’s why we celebrate Independence Day on this date.

It announced that the colonies no longer wanted to be ruled by Great Britain. The 13 Colonies were now the “United States of America.” 

“It’s the official statement that says we want to be our own nation and create our own set of laws,” says Rebecca Franco. She works at the Museum of the American Revolution.

The document also outlined America’s values, such as the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

It said that the colonies no longer wanted to be ruled by Great Britain. The 13 Colonies were now the “United States of America.” 

“It’s the official statement that says we want to be our own nation and create our own set of laws,” says Rebecca Franco. She works at the Museum of the American Revolution.

The document also listed America’s values. These included the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”