On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, formally severing the thirteen American colonies' ties to Great Britain. Primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, the document articulated the Enlightenment principle that all men are created equal and possess 'unalienable Rights,' including Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. It listed a series of grievances against King George III, justifying the revolution as a necessary response to tyranny. While the war for independence continued until 1783, the Declaration transformed the conflict from a colonial tax revolt into a global symbol for democratic self-determination.