This is the founding document of the United States, adopted on July 4th, 1776 by the Second Continental Congress meeting at what was then the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. The document was signed by 56 delegates from the British colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. A list of grievances against the King of Great Britain justifies the coloniesâ intent to no longer consider themselves subject to colonial rule.
