The Declaration of Indepedence

We will start our writing with the Declaration of Independence, since it is the document that established the thirteen colonies as "independent and sovereign states". First a little background on the Declaration is in order. The Declaration is the document that marks the beginning of the thirteen colonies as a new and independent country, the United States of America. It was debated and passed by the Second Continental Congress. John Hancock was President of the Congress, and John Adams was instrumental in passing the Declaration. Thomas Jefferson wrote the final draft of the Declaration, and John Adams was a leader in favor of its adoption during the debates over passing the document. The final draft of the document was passed unanimously on July 4th,1776.