What is the Declaration of Independence? Summary, Signers, and Significance

The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of the United States, adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. But what was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence? Primarily, it served a diplomatic and political function: to explain to foreign nations why the colonies had chosen to separate from Great Britain. By listing the colonists' grievances and asserting their natural rights, the document transformed a civil war among Britons into a revolution between two separate nations.

While the Declaration of Independence date is celebrated on July 4, the history of its writing and signing is more complex. Below is a summary of the document’s history, its contents, and its relevancy today.

Who wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence?

Have you ever wondered “who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?” The primary drafter was Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. He was part of a "Committee of Five" appointed by Congress, which also included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman.

Another common question is when was the Declaration of Independence signed? While the text was adopted on July 4, 1776, the actual signing ceremony for most delegates took place on August 2, 1776.

• Where was the Declaration of Independence signed? It was signed at the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia.
• How many people signed the Declaration of Independence? There were 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, representing the 13 new states.
• New Hampshire Signers: New Hampshire’s representatives were Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, and Matthew Thornton. Bartlett was the second person to sign the document, immediately after John Hancock.

Declaration of Independence Summary: Preamble and Grievances

The document is structured into three main parts: the Preamble, the list of grievances, and the official resolution of independence.

1. The Preamble and Natural Rights: The Declaration of Independence Preamble is the most famous section. It establishes the philosophy of government based on natural rights.

• What are the rights listed in the Declaration of Independence? The text famously cites "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" as unalienable rights given to all humans by their Creator.
• The Social Contract: The Preamble argues that governments are instituted to secure these rights, and if a government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it.

2. The Grievances: The bulk of the document lists grievances in the Declaration of Independence aimed at King George III. These 27 complaints justified the split. They included issues such as:

• Imposing taxes without consent.
• Cutting off trade with all parts of the world.
• Depriving colonists of the benefits of trial by jury.
• Quartering large bodies of armed troops among the population.

Declaration of Independence Relevancy Today

What does the Declaration of Independence do for us now? Unlike the Constitution, the Declaration is not a legally binding document—it does not establish laws or government structures. However, the natural rights in the Declaration of Independence remain a powerful force in American law and culture.

The document set the "moral standard" for the United States. Its assertion that "all men are created equal" has been used by nearly every movement for equality in U.S. history, from the abolition of slavery (Abraham Lincoln frequently cited the Declaration) to the women’s suffrage movement (the Seneca Falls Convention modeled their declaration on it) and the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.

How does this connect to New Hampshire?

New Hampshire has a unique connection to the spirit of independence. In January 1776—six months before the national Declaration—New Hampshire became the first colony to establish a constitution independent of British authority. Our state motto, "Live Free or Die," adopted later, echoes the sentiments of the Founders who pledged their "Lives, Fortunes and sacred Honor" to the cause.