The Declaration of Independence was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted on July 4, 1776. It outlines the colonies' justification for independence from Great Britain and reflects Enlightenment philosophy, especially the ideas of natural rights. The Declaration of Independence was written largely by Jefferson, who had displayed talent as a political philosopher and polemicist in his A Summary View of the Rights of British America, published in 1774. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Who wrote the Declaration of Independence and when was the Declaration of Independence passed?, How do Jefferson's "unalienable rights" compare with the "natural rights" expressed by Locke?, How many people signed the Declaration of Independence? and more. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?, When was the Declaration of Independence passed?, Thomas Jefferson's personal collection of books became the foundation of what? and more. Jefferson largely wrote the Declaration in isolation between June 11 and June 28, 1776. The Declaration was a formal explanation of why the Continental Congress voted to declare American independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Who wrote the declaration of Independence?, What are the inalienable rights?, The ideas contained in the Declaration of Independence helped- and more. Timothy Matlack was probably the person who wrote — or engrossed — the text of the Declaration on the document that was signed. He is known as the “Scribe of the Declaration of Independence.” Delegates began signing the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776, after it was engrossed on parchment. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Who appointed the committee of men to write the Declaration of Independence, Name the first five men who wrote the Declaration of Independence, Who wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence? and more. On July 4, 1776, the United States officially declared its independence from the British Empire when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration was authored by a “Committee of Five”—John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman—with Jefferson as the main drafter. But Jefferson himself later admitted The committee appointed to draft the Declaration of Independence was made up of five members. John Adams, leader of the independence movement, convinced the committee to select Thomas Jefferson to write the original document. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston made 86 changes, establishing the final version of the Declaration of Independence. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?, When was the Declaration of Independence signed and adopted by Congress?, What declared the American colonists were independent and had separated from Great Britian? and more. At the time, the Declaration of Independence was regarded as a collective effort of the Continental Congress; Jefferson was not recognized as its principal author until the 1790s. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like The authors of the Declaration of Independence, Which Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence?, The Declaration of Independence and more. Who Wrote the Declaration of Independence? Thomas Jefferson is considered the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, although Jefferson's draft went through a process of revision by his fellow committee members and the Second Continental Congress. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?, What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?, When was the Declaration of Independence approved? and more. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Why did the colonists write the Declaration of Independence?, What are the 4 sections of the Declaration of Independence?, Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? Why was this person chosen? and more. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Causes of the American Revolution, Who wrote the Declaration of Independence and who influenced these ideas?, What are unalienable rights? and more. The Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. We now credit Thomas Jefferson with the Declaration’s authorship, but that was not the case on that momentous day, nor for a significant time afterwards. When asked, “Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?” the short answer is Thomas Jefferson. At just 33 years old, Jefferson was chosen by the Second Continental Congress to draft the document. Despite his youth, Jefferson had already earned a reputation as a skilled writer and a deep thinker. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Who wrote the declaration of independence?, To whom the declaration of independence was being addressed?, What are the rights in the 1st amendment? and more.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |