Which 1776 document first printed the phrase “United States of America” in its title?

The Declaration of Independence first printed the phrase “United States of America” in its title.

The phrase appeared in the heading of the document Congress adopted in 1776: “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.” Congress later officially approved the country’s name, United States of America, on September 9, 1776. The capitalization and styling changed over time, but the wording became the enduring national name.

The Declaration served two purposes. It announced that the thirteen colonies were independent states, and it explained the political reasons for separating from Great Britain. Its title linked those states together while presenting them as a new political community.

This fact is distinct from the later Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, both of which also use the name. The Declaration’s famous title belongs to the founding moment commemorated by the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026.