The purpose of the Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, was to formally announce the American colonies' separation from British rule. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, the document articulated the colonies' grievances against King George III while outlining Enlightenment principles, such as the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It emphasized the idea that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. By declaring independence, the colonies sought not only to justify their break from Britain but to inspire the values of democracy and individual rights that continue to resonate in American identity today.