On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, formally announcing that the thirteen American colonies were no longer part of the British Empire. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, the document was heavily influenced by Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke. It famously asserted that 'all men are created equal' and possessed 'unalienable Rights,' including 'Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.' This was a revolutionary act, as it grounded the legitimacy of government in the consent of the governed rather than hereditary monarchy. The declaration transformed a local tax revolt into a global struggle for self-determination. Its success inspired future democratic movements worldwide, including the French Revolution. However, the document also highlighted the profound contradiction of a nation founded on liberty while still practicing chattel slavery—a tension that would define American history for centuries.