The United States Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.
The Second Continental Congress approved the document in Philadelphia after voting to separate the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain. The declaration explained the political reasons for independence and presented a theory of natural rights and government by consent.
Congress had passed the Lee Resolution for independence on July 2, two days before approving the declaration's final wording. July 4 became the celebrated national date because it appears on the engrossed document and marked Congress's formal adoption of the text.
A common mix-up concerns signing. Most delegates signed the parchment copy on August 2, 1776, although some signatures were added later. The adoption date, signing date, and earlier independence vote are therefore distinct events.