Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson. He was tasked with drafting the document as part of a committee appointed by the Continental Congress in 1776. Jefferson's eloquent writing style and strong ideological understanding of principles like individual liberty, equality, and the social contract were crucial in articulating the colonies' reasons for seeking independence from British rule.

Jefferson's draft included the famous assertion that all men are created equal and possess certain unalienable rights, which has had a lasting impact on American political philosophy and identity. His work in the Declaration not only conveys the colonies' grievances against King George III but also serves to justify their separation, marking a pivotal moment in American history.

While figures like George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin played significant roles in the founding of the United States, it was Jefferson who was recognized as the principal author of this crucial document.