The significant historical document that proclaimed the freedom and equality of all men is the Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776. Authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson, this foundational text asserted the colonies' right to independence from British rule, emphasizing the principles of liberty and the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Declaration served as a rallying point for the American Revolution, influencing democratic movements worldwide and establishing a precedent for struggles for equality.