Formation of the Committee
The Second Continental Congress in 1776 formed a committee to draft a declaration of independence from Britain. The committee included:
- John Adams
- Benjamin Franklin
- Roger Sherman
- Robert R. Livingston
- Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson was chosen to chair the committee and write the declaration. He was known for his writing skills and had fewer enemies in Congress. Picking a Virginian was also strategic, as Virginia was one of the biggest and most influential colonies.
Jefferson wrote the draft in a couple of days at his rented rooms in the Graff House, using documents like George Mason's Virginia Declaration of Rights and his drafts of the Virginia constitution as reference.1

Jefferson's Drafting Process
Jefferson drew inspiration from Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke. He had about 17 days to pen a draft and finished a rough version in just a few days.
The committee then reviewed and edited Jefferson's draft. Congress made further revisions, altering roughly a quarter of Jefferson's original prose. Jefferson wasn't happy about all the changes, particularly the removal of a paragraph condemning the British for imposing the slave trade.
Despite the edits, Jefferson's voice remained prominent in the final document, which laid down the philosophical and moral foundation for the new nation.

Key Components of the Declaration
The Declaration of Independence had three main components:
- The preamble
- A list of grievances against King George III
- The formal declaration of independence
The preamble laid out the philosophical basis for independence, asserting that all men are created equal
and that governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed.
The list of grievances detailed specific violations of the colonists' rights by King George III, justifying the decision to break away from British rule.
The formal declaration stated unequivocally that the colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States,
establishing their new status on the world stage.
Impact and Legacy
The Declaration of Independence had immediate effects in the colonies, sparking celebrations and the dismantling of British symbols. It also divided colonists, with Loyalists viewing it as an act of rebellion.
Internationally, it resonated with Enlightenment thinkers and future revolutionaries, especially in France. It became a blueprint for other independence movements worldwide.
The Declaration's principles influenced subsequent American documents like the Constitution and Bill of Rights. However, its promises didn't initially apply to women, slaves, and Native Americans.
The document continues to serve as a rallying cry for those fighting oppression and injustice, as seen in Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.2
The Declaration remains a symbol of revolutionary spirit and belief in fundamental rights, guiding the ongoing American experiment while reminding us of the ideals we strive to uphold and the imperfections we still need to address.

- Boyd JP. The Declaration of Independence: The Mystery of the Lost Original. Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. 1976;100(4):438-467.
- Maier P. American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence. New York: Knopf; 1997.