Which document announced our independence from Great Britain?

The Declaration of Independence is the document that announced the American colonies' independence from Great Britain. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, it articulated the colonies' grievances against King George III and expressed the philosophical underpinnings of government that justifies the colonies' right to separate from British rule. The Declaration emphasized concepts of individual liberty, the social contract, and the idea that governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed.

In contrast, The Constitution serves as the foundational legal document establishing the framework of the United States government, outlining the structures and powers of the different branches of government. The Bill of Rights is a set of amendments added to the Constitution that guarantees specific individual freedoms and protections against government infringement. The Federalist Papers are essays written to promote the ratification of the Constitution and explain its principles; they do not declare independence but rather advocate for a strong federal government. Thus, the Declaration of Independence distinctly stands as the formal announcement of the colonies' break from Great Britain.