Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence was primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, who was selected by the Second Continental Congress to draft the document in 1776. Jefferson's eloquent expression of Enlightenment ideals, such as individual rights and government by consent, is a hallmark of the Declaration. His writing captures the American colonies' desire for autonomy from British rule and has profound historical significance. While other founding figures, such as John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, played crucial roles in its adoption and advocacy, it was Jefferson's words that laid the foundational philosophy of American democracy, highlighting his pivotal role in this historic document.