Which document declares the independence of the United States?

The Declaration of Independence is the document that formally declares the independence of the United States from British rule. Adopted on July 4, 1776, it articulates the colonies' reasons for seeking independence, emphasizing the principles of individual rights and the idea that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. This document is pivotal in American history, as it marked the birth of the United States as a sovereign nation.

In contrast, the U.S. Constitution is the foundational legal document that established the framework of the federal government and the laws governing the nation, whereas the Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution for the United States but was ultimately replaced because it created a weak central government. The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution and ensures certain rights and liberties to individuals but does not deal with the issue of independence. Thus, the Declaration of Independence is distinctly significant for its role in the establishment of the nation.