The famous document inspired by Enlightenment ideas that established the rights of citizens in the United States is the Declaration of Independence. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, it was a pivotal document that declared the thirteen American colonies free from British rule. Drawing heavily on Enlightenment principles, particularly those of John Locke regarding natural rights, it emphasized the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Declaration articulated the colonies’ grievances against King George III and set forth the philosophical foundations for a new nation, influencing future democratic movements worldwide and asserting the idea of government derived from the consent of the governed.