Which document declared American independence from British rule?

The Declaration of Independence is the document that formally declared American independence from British rule. Adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, this pivotal text articulated the colonies' grievances against King George III and asserted their right to be free and independent states. The Declaration emphasized the principles of individual liberty and the idea that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed, serving as a foundational text for American democracy.

In contrast, the Constitution is the fundamental framework of the government established after independence. The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, safeguarding specific freedoms and rights of individuals but is not related to the declaration of independence itself. The Magna Carta, signed in 1215 in England, laid the groundwork for the development of constitutional governance but is unrelated to the American struggle for independence.