250 Years of American Independence

On July 4, 1776, the THIRTEEN original colonies of North America declared their independence from Great Britain, launching one of the most significant political events in modern history. The DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE was the official document that announced this break, arguing that all people are created equal and possess rights that no government can take away. THOMAS JEFFERSON is credited as the primary author of the Declaration, though a committee of five men — including Benjamin Franklin and John Adams — helped shape its final language. The Declaration did not end the war on its own; the REVOLUTIONARY WAR had already been underway since April 1775, and it would continue until 1783. Understanding this founding moment matters because in 2026, the United States COMMEMORATES — officially celebrates and honors — a full 250 years since that declaration rang out. This anniversary is a rare chance to examine how far the nation has come, and how much of the founders' vision remains unfinished.