Which historical document declared the independence of the American colonies from Britain?

The Declaration of Independence is the historical document that formally announced the separation of the American colonies from British rule. Adopted on July 4, 1776, it articulated the colonies' grievances against King George III and asserted their right to self-govern. This document is significant not only for its role in American history but also for its philosophical foundations, emphasizing individual rights and the concept of government deriving its power from the consent of the governed. This framework laid the groundwork for American democracy and influenced numerous other independence movements around the world.

The other documents serve different purposes: The Constitution established the framework of the U.S. government, the Articles of Confederation outlined the first governing document of the United States post-independence but were later replaced due to their ineffectiveness, and the Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution, delineating individual liberties but not addressing independence itself.