Which document declared America's independence from Britain?

The document that declared America's independence from Britain is the Declaration of Independence. This pivotal text, adopted on July 4, 1776, was drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson and articulated the colonies' justification for breaking away from British rule. It outlined the philosophical principles behind this decision, asserting the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and it conveyed the grievances the colonists had against King George III, making a clear case for their desire for self-governance.

The Declaration served not only as a statement of independence but also as a foundation for American democracy, establishing the idea that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. Its adoption marked a significant turning point in history, signaling the formal start of the United States as a separate nation.

In contrast, The Constitution is the framework of the federal government established later in 1787; the Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual freedoms; and The Federalist Papers are a series of essays promoting the ratification of the Constitution, none of which declare independence from Britain. Thus, the Declaration of Independence is the key document recognized for this purpose.