Which document is America250 commemorating the 250th anniversary of adopting?

America250 is commemorating the 250th anniversary of adopting the Declaration of Independence. The Continental Congress adopted the document on July 4, 1776, announcing that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as independent states.

The Declaration explained the colonies’ reasons for separating from Great Britain and presented principles about government, rights, and political legitimacy. Thomas Jefferson drafted the text with contributions and revisions from the committee and Congress.

The Declaration is not the same document as the Constitution. The Constitution established the federal government’s framework in 1787, while the Declaration announced independence in 1776. The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution later, in 1791.