4 July 1776

Declaration of Independence (Dunlap Broadside)
Photo: National Archives (Flickr)

"[Above] is the first printed version of the Declaration of Independence. Drafted for the most part by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence justified breaking the colonial ties to Great Britain by providing a basic philosophy of government and a list of grievances against the Crown. John Dunlap of Philadelphia was the printer to the Continental Congress." National Archives

You may read the full text of the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives, Charters of Freedom Web site.