Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence was primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson. In June 1776, the Continental Congress appointed a committee to draft the document, and Jefferson, known for his eloquent writing style and Enlightenment ideas, was chosen to pen the initial draft. He articulated the colonies' reasons for seeking independence from Great Britain, emphasizing principles such as individual rights, the social contract, and the legitimacy of government derived from the consent of the governed. Jefferson's words resonate through the famous phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," which encapsulated the ideals that fueled the American Revolution and have profoundly influenced democratic thought.

While other figures listed contributed to the founding of the United States, their roles were different. James Madison, often called the "Father of the Constitution," focused on the creation and ratification of the U.S. Constitution rather than the Declaration. George Washington served as the commander of the Continental Army and later became the nation’s first president, but he was not involved in drafting the Declaration. Alexander Hamilton was crucial in the early financial structure of the U.S. and in the Federalist Papers, but he did not play a direct role in writing this significant document. Thus, Thomas Jefferson stands out as the central figure responsible for articulating