Legal Definitions - Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is the formal statement adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia. This pivotal document announced to the world that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states, no longer under British rule. It articulated the philosophical principles upon which the new nation would be founded, including the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and listed grievances against King George III to justify the colonies' separation.

Here are some examples illustrating the significance and application of the Declaration of Independence:

• Civic Education: During a naturalization ceremony, new U.S. citizens are often presented with a copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The presiding judge might explain that the Declaration lays out the fundamental ideals of liberty and self-governance that underpin American society, while the Constitution establishes the framework for how those ideals are put into practice through government. This illustrates how the Declaration serves as a foundational text for understanding American values and the nation's origins.

• Legal and Political Discourse: When arguing for expanded civil rights, an attorney or activist might reference the Declaration's assertion that "all men are created equal" and endowed with certain unalienable rights. For instance, during the Civil Rights Movement, leaders frequently invoked these words to highlight the disparity between the nation's founding ideals and the reality of racial segregation and discrimination. This demonstrates how the Declaration's principles, though not legally binding statutes themselves, continue to inform and inspire legal and political arguments for justice and equality.

• International Inspiration: In the 19th and 20th centuries, various independence movements around the globe, from Latin America to Vietnam, studied and drew inspiration from the American Declaration of Independence. While not a direct legal precedent for other nations, its clear articulation of the right of a people to self-determination and to establish their own government served as a powerful model and rhetorical tool for those seeking to break free from colonial powers. This shows the Declaration's enduring influence as a statement of universal human rights and the right to national sovereignty.