The United States Declaration of Independence became official through congressional adoption on July 4, 1776.
The Second Continental Congress approved the document in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania State House, now called Independence Hall. The vote followed the Lee Resolution, which had declared the colonies independent in principle two days earlier.
Thomas Jefferson drafted the original text as part of a five-person committee that also included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. Congress edited Jefferson’s draft before adopting it. The Declaration explained why the Thirteen Colonies were separating from Great Britain and listed grievances against King George III.
July 4 marks adoption, not necessarily the date when every delegate signed the engrossed parchment. Most delegates signed the famous handwritten copy primarily on August 2, 1776, although the document itself bears the date July 4. The Declaration’s anniversary later became the national holiday known as Independence Day.