The main purpose of the Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, was to formally declare the thirteen American colonies' intention to separate from British rule. The document outlines the philosophical justification for this separation, asserting that individuals possess certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It emphasizes the idea that governments are instituted to secure these rights and that when a government becomes destructive to these ends, the people have the right to alter or abolish it.
Furthermore, the Declaration serves to rally support among the colonies and garner international recognition and assistance, particularly from potential allies like France. It articulates a vision of a new nation founded on principles of democracy and self-governance, marking the beginning of the United States as an independent entity.