What significant event occurred on July 4, 1776?

The significant event that occurred on July 4, 1776, was the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. This pivotal document was drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson and officially proclaimed the American colonies' separation from British rule. It articulated the colonies' grievances against King George III and expressed the fundamental principles of individual rights and government by consent.

This date is now celebrated annually in the United States as Independence Day, marking the birth of the nation and the assertion of its values of liberty and democracy. The Declaration of Independence not only signified a crucial turning point in the fight for autonomy but also laid the foundation for future democratic principles that would influence the country's governance and civil rights.

In contrast, the Constitution was ratified later in 1788, and the Bill of Rights, which consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was adopted in 1791. The Revolutionary War continued for several more years after the Declaration was adopted, culminating in the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which officially ended the war.