On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia adopted the Declaration of Independence, prepared by a committee headed by Thomas Jefferson. The document proclaimed the withdrawal of the thirteen North American colonies from the British Empire and affirmed their right to independent statehood. Among the declaration’s main provisions were the ideas of natural human rights, equality of citizens before the law, and the right of the people to form their own government.
Over the past 250 years, the United States has gone from a group of former colonies on the eastern coast of North America to one of the world’s largest states. During this time, the country experienced periods of territorial expansion, the Civil War, industrialization, economic crises, and large-scale social transformations. Many of the principles formulated in the founding era of the state were later developed in the U.S. Constitution and other key government documents.
The anniversary year 2026 is accompanied by historical exhibitions, educational programs, academic conferences, and cultural events across the country. Special attention is devoted not only to the events of 1776, but also to the broader context of the American Revolution, the role of individual states and public figures, as well as the impact of these events on the further development of the U.S. political system
