The Declaration of Independence

The thirteen colonies had been at war with Britain for a very long time.

The Second Continental Congress decided it was time to break away from the British rule. They wanted to fight for their freedom.

The Committee of Five was selected to write the Declaration of Independence. The Five included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman and Thomas Jefferson.

Many of the colonies did not agree with breaking from the British rule. Eventually, 12 colonies decided to vote, while New York decided not to vote.

On July 4th, 1776, the document was finalized. The fourth of July is still a celebrated holiday in the United States.

The Declaration of Independence not only talked about why the colonies wanted to break from the British rule, it also listed the bad things the king did.