On July 4, 1776, the United States officially declared its independence from the British Empire when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration was authored by a “Committee of Five”—John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman—with Jefferson as the main drafter. But Jefferson himself later admitted Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.) The spelling and punctuation reflects the original. Born on April 13, 1743, near present-day Charlottesville, Virginia, Thomas Jefferson was the primary drafter of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States. Who Wrote the Declaration of Independence? Thomas Jefferson is considered the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, although Jefferson's draft went through a process of revision by his fellow committee members and the Second Continental Congress. Thomas Jefferson was the primary writer of the Declaration of Independence. When he was serving in the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, he was a young man in his early thirties. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?, Where was the Declaration of Independence written? When was it adopted?, How many men signed the Declaration of Independence? and more. Declaration of Independence Summary Nearly 250 years since it was signed, the Declaration of Independence remains one of the most seminal political documents ever written. The Declaration consists of three major parts. The preamble employs the enlightened reasoning of Locke, Rousseau, and Thomas Paine, to establish a philosophical justification for a split with Great Britain. The main body The Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. We now credit Thomas Jefferson with the Declaration’s authorship, but that was not the case on that momentous day, nor for a significant time afterwards. Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, drafted in June 1776. However, the document was reviewed and edited by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and other members of the drafting committee before being finalized by the Continental Congress. Discover the key authors of the Declaration of Independence: Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin. The Declaration of Independence is one of the most significant documents in American history, and it was crafted by three pivotal figures: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. Thomas Jefferson is widely recognized as the principal author. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like The authors of the Declaration of Independence, Which Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence?, The Declaration of Independence and more. When asked, “Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?” the short answer is Thomas Jefferson. At just 33 years old, Jefferson was chosen by the Second Continental Congress to draft the document. Despite his youth, Jefferson had already earned a reputation as a skilled writer and a deep thinker. Drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776 became the defining event in Thomas Jefferson's life. Drawing on documents, such as the Virginia Declaration of Rights, state and local calls for independence, and his own draft of a Virginia constitution, Jefferson wrote a stunning statement of the colonists' right to rebel against the British government and establish their own based on the Washington, DC (National Archives): 1952-present *Except that the document was displayed on April 13, 1943, at the dedication of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. Back to Main Declaration of Independence Page Learn about Our National Treasure, interesting and informative facts about the Declaration and its history. The main author of the Declaration of Independence was Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration was drafted in 1776, specifically between June and July. It was created by the Second Continental Congress, which was a gathering of representatives from the American colonies. He was the main author of the Declaration of Independence and the third president of the United States (served 1801-1809). Where did Thomas Jefferson live? Thomas Jefferson took great pride in his home at Monticello, built atop an 868-foot-high mountain near Charlottesville, Virginia. What did Thomas Jefferson do as president? Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted by the Committee of Five in 1776. The document expressed the colonies' separation from Britain and was deeply influenced by Enlightenment ideas, particularly those of John Locke. The Declaration was officially adopted on July 4, 1776, signifying a pivotal moment in American history. While Thomas Jefferson is often credited as the primary author, the truth is that the Declaration was the result of a collaborative effort by a group of dedicated revolutionaries. To understand the origins of the Declaration, we must first look at the historical context. While Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence, the congressional committee of John Adams, Ben Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston played an important role. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?, When was the Declaration of Independence passed?, Thomas Jefferson's personal collection of books became the foundation of what? and more.
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