The document that announced the separation of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain is the Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it articulated the colonies’ grievances against King George III and articulated Enlightenment principles such as natural rights and the social contract. It proclaimed the colonies' intent to form an independent nation, asserting their right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This revolutionary text not only marked the formal start of the United States as an independent entity but also inspired later democratic movements around the world.