Which document's anniversary is commemorated by America's 250th celebration?

America's 250th celebration commemorates the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The document announced that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as independent states and explained their political break with Great Britain. It was adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1776 and became the central founding document associated with the United States’ Independence Day.

The Declaration is often confused with the Constitution because both were created during the founding era and are preserved at the National Archives. They serve different purposes: the Declaration announced independence, while the Constitution established the framework of the federal government.

The document’s best-known section states that all men are created equal and identifies rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Its anniversary is the historical focus of America250, even though the United States’ constitutional system developed later.