Adopted by the Second Continental Congress

Enacted July 3, 1776; excerpted from the National Archives and Records Administration

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."

From the Declaration of Independence

By the spring of 1776, the Second Continental Congress was still debating over the next step to take in light of the decision of King George III (1738–1820) that "blows [war] must decide" the disagreement with the colonies. Independence from Great Britain was still considered an extreme step by many delegates. Congressmen wondered how they would explain the disagreement to the public, who were still loyal to King George, if not to Parliament. But finally, on June 7, 1776, Virginia statesman Richard Henry Lee (1732–1794) urged Congress to declare independence, presenting...