Which document declared the independence of the United States?

The Declaration of Independence is the document that formally declared the independence of the thirteen American colonies from British rule. It was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and articulated the colonies' reasons for seeking independence, highlighting grievances against King George III and the belief in the right to self-governance and individual liberties. This document is a pivotal moment in American history, as it not only announced the separation from Britain but also laid the foundational principles of freedom and democracy that would influence the nation's values and future governance.

The other documents mentioned serve different purposes in American governance; for instance, The Articles of Confederation established the first official framework for the governance of the newly independent states but did so after independence had already been declared. The Constitution established the current framework of the federal government and replaced the Articles of Confederation, coming much later in 1787. The Federalist Papers were a series of essays written to promote the ratification of the Constitution and do not pertain to the declaration of independence itself. Thus, the Declaration of Independence uniquely represents the formal assertion of the colonies' desire to be free and sovereign states.