What major event took place in 1776 that changed the course of American history?

The signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 is a pivotal moment in American history as it marked the formal assertion of the American colonies' desire to separate from British rule. This document, drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, articulated the colonies' grievances against King George III and enumerated the philosophical foundations for the right to self-govern.

Declaring independence was significant not only because it represented a united front of the thirteen colonies against colonial oppression, but also because it articulated the ideals of liberty, equality, and justice that would later resonate throughout the world and influence various democratic movements. The Declaration served as a bold statement of the colonies' intention to create a new nation based on Enlightenment principles, setting the stage for the Revolutionary War and the later establishment of the United States as an independent sovereign nation.

In contrast, the signing of the Constitution took place in 1787 after the war for independence had been won, while the Boston Tea Party in 1773 was a protest against taxation and an earlier catalyst for colonial unrest, not a declaration of sovereignty. The Louisiana Purchase occurred much later in 1803 and expanded U.S. territory but was not directly related to the independence movement. Therefore, the Declaration of Independence stands out as the defining