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The Declaration of Independence is a document in which the Thirteen Colonies declared themselves independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain and explained their justifications for doing so. It was ratified by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776; this anniversary is celebrated as Independence Day in the United States. The original signed copy is on display to the public in the National Archives in Washington, DC. The independence of the American colonies was recognized by Great Britain on September 3, 1783, by the Treaty of Paris.1 Background
Throughout the 1760s and 1770s, relations between Great Britain and thirteen of her North American colonies had become increasingly strained. Fighting broke out in 1775 at LexingtonCensus-designated places in Massachusetts Middlesex County, Massachusetts Lexington is a census-designated place located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 30,355. The town is notable as the site o and ConcordTowns in Massachusetts Middlesex County, Massachusetts Concord is a town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 16,993. For geographic and demographic information on West Concord, which i marking the beginning of the American Revolutionary WarThe American Revolutionary War ( 1775 1783), also known as the American War of Independence was a war fought between Great Britain and revolutionaries within thirteen of her North American colonies. The war, which eventually widened far beyond British Nor. Although there was little initial sentiment for outright independence, the pamphlet Common SenseCommon Sense was a pamphlet first published on January 10, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War by Thomas Paine. Its pages contained a denouncement of British rule. Arguments against British rule in Common Sense It was ridiculous for an island to r by Thomas PaineThomas Paine ( January 29, 1737 — June 8, 1809) was a widely recognized intellectual, scholar, and idealist who is considered to be one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. As a radical pamphleteer, Paine impacted the American Revolution with his was able to promote the belief that total independence was the only possible route for the colonies.
Independence was adopted on July 2July 2 is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 182 days remaining. It is the middle day of a non- leap year, because there are 182 days before and 182 days after. It falls on the same day of the week as New Year', 1776 pursuant to the "Lee Resolution" presented to the Continental Congress by Richard Henry LeeRichard Henry Lee ( January 20, 1732 June 19, 1794) was the sixth President of the United States in Congress assembled under the Articles of Confederation, holding office from November 30, 1784 to November 22, 1785. He was preceded in office by Thomas Mif of Virginia on June 7, 1776, which read (in part): "Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."
On June 11, 1776, a committee consisting of John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, Robert R. Livingston of New York, and Roger Sherman of Connecticut, was formed to draft a suitable declaration to frame this resolution. Jefferson did most of the writing, with input from the committee. His original draft included a denunciation of the slave trade, which was later edited out. His draft was presented to the Continental Congress on July 1, 1776. The Declaration was rewritten somewhat in general session prior to its adoption by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, at the Pennsylvania State House. The adopted copy was then sent a few blocks away to the printing shop of John Dunlap . Through the night between 150 and 200 copies were made, now known as " Dunlap broadside s". The original has never been found. The 25 Dunlap broadsides still known to exist are the oldest surviving copies of the Declaration.
