Declaration Of Independence Approved
13 British colonies in North America claim independence from Great Britain.
In 1776, during the War for Independence, the Second Continental Congress, comprised of representatives from 13 British colonies in North America, approved the "Declaration of Independence" as drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
The document claimed that if a government was tyrannical, the people had a right to overthrow it, and because of Great Britain's oppressive acts against them, the colonies had the right to declare themselves free and independent states.