# American Declaration of Independence (1776)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1776-american-declaration-of-independence
Categories: main-event

The thirteen colonies declared themselves independent from Britain. Within the broader Georgian Britain period, parliamentary government, industrialization, imperial expansion, war with France and political reform turned Britain into a global commercial and military power. This event is placed at 4 July 1776 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. The declaration transformed the imperial war into a struggle over the creation of a new sovereign state.

## Why it matters
The declaration transformed the imperial war into a struggle over the creation of a new sovereign state.

Ruler at the time: [George III](https://english-history.com/rulers/george-iii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — American Declaration of Independence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=American+Declaration+of+Independence&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — American Declaration of Independence](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=American+Declaration+of+Independence)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281700%E2%80%931799%29)
- [The National Archives — empire and industry resources](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/)