Declaration Of Independence

A public act by which, through the Continental Congress, the thirteen British colonies in America declared their independence, in the name and by the authority of the people, on the fourth day of July, 1776, wherein are set forth: — Certain natural and inalienable rights of man; the uses and purposes of governments; the right of the people to institute or to abolish them; the sufferings of the colonies, and their right to withdraw from the tyranny of the king of Great Britain; The various acts of tyranny of the British king; The petitions for redress of those injuries, and the refusal to redress them; the recital of an appeal to the people of Great Britain, and of their being deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity; An appeal to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of the intentions of the representatives; A declaration that the United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is and ought to be dissolved; A pledge by the representatives to each The effect of this declaration was the establishment of the government of the United States as free and independent.

A formal declaration or announcement, promulgated July 4, 1776, by the congress of the United States of America, m the name and bebalf of the people of the colonies, asserting and proclniming their independence of the British crown, vindicating their pretensions to political autonomy, and announcing themselves to the world as a free and independent nation.

Defined under Declaration in Black's Law Dictionary.