the document in which the thirteen colonies declared that they were independent of Britain and stated the principles of the new government. One of its most famous sentences is this: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’ The document was mostly written by Thomas Jefferson and received the approval of the Continental Congress on 4 July 1776. Those signing it included Benjamin Franklin , John Adams and John Hancock .
➡ Independence Day .