The pivotal role in drafting the Declaration of Independence was played by Thomas Jefferson, who was the principal author of the document adopted on July 4, 1776. Jefferson articulated the colonies' view on governance, emphasizing natural rights and the necessity of government by consent. His eloquent expression of ideals, such as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," became fundamental principles of American democracy. The Declaration served not only to justify the colonies' break from British rule but also laid the ideological foundation for the emerging United States, inspiring future democratic movements globally.