Which document does America250 commemorate as the United States’ founding declaration?

America250 commemorates the United States Declaration of Independence as the country’s founding declaration.

The document announced that the Thirteen Colonies considered themselves free and independent states rather than possessions of Great Britain. The Second Continental Congress adopted it on July 4, 1776, making that date the central anniversary celebrated by America250.

Thomas Jefferson drafted the principal text as part of a five-member committee. Congress revised the draft before adopting it. The document’s opening argument presents equality and natural rights, while its later sections list grievances against King George III.

The Declaration is not the same document as the Constitution. The Constitution established the federal government’s framework in 1787, eleven years after the Declaration. The Articles of Confederation served as an earlier governing framework during the Revolutionary era.