The colonies had already voted for freedom from British rule, but debates over slavery held up the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

Since July 4, 1776, Americans have cherished the principles of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”—but disagreed fiercely about how to apply them.

Since July 4, 1776, Americans have cherished the principles of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”—but disagreed fiercely about how to apply them.

It could be worse. There’s always James Buchanan.

Critics accuse Trump of disregarding 'institutions, values and norms that have sustained' the United States for years.

Pulitzer-winning Frederick Douglass biographer David Blight explains what to know about the famous speech, and why its message still endures.

Jefferson, who authored the Declaration of Independence and owned slaves, is a controversial figure in a city that struggles with racial reconciliation.

If you're looking for patriotic movies to watch this Fourth of July, we've got you covered, from 'Independence Day' to "Top Gun."

It's going to be a hot one in much of the U.S. this Fourth of July — and not only because of the forecasted high of a sweltering 34 C. There's also been heated debate about President Donald Trump's plans for this year's Independence Day celebrations in Washin…

Celebration of signing of Declaration of Independence marked every year with spectacular fireworks, family barbecues and baseball games

More than 147,000 Sudanese, mostly from the Blue Nile region, live in South Sudan’s northern town of Maban.

The two-day boycott would mean people not post anything to social media apart from strike notices.

To celebrate Independence Day, we've assembled a collection of maps that illustrate who Americans are and how they live. Geography matters — where we reside and where we come from affects many facets of our lives. The US is a large, complex place, and maps ca…

Turkish Cypriot official says Syrian anti-aircraft missile that missed its target struck northern Cyprus.

He was a patrician Republican who was prominent in New York civic, social and legal circles, the scion of a lawyer who championed unpopular causes.

June 28 marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. Find out about Stonewall and other significant places in LGBTQ history.

A review of The Conservative Sensibility, by George F. Will.

President Donald Trump plans a speech at the Lincoln Memorial and a possible Air Force One flyover for an amped-up Independence Day celebration in Washington, drawing criticism that he wants to transform a traditionally nonpartisan, national event into a poli…

India, SCO members unite to condemn terrorismAccording to the Bishkek Declaration, the member states stressed that acts of terrorism and extremism cannot be justified.

Jailed Catalan separatist leaders denied the prosecutors' charge of inciting violence in the Spanish region's failed bid for independence and used their final arguments in a four-month Supreme Court trial in Madrid to call for dialogue.

The two countries have been fighting over their shared language for centuries. Here's how the battle began.

A Spanish prosecutor said on Tuesday that Catalan leaders on trial for their part in the region's failed bid for independence in 2017 had knowingly attempted a "coup d'etat" against Spain.

U.S. President Donald Trump was shown a handwritten parchment copy of the U.S. Declaration of Independence - one of only two known to exist - during a visit to British Prime Minister Theresa May's office on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Theresa May will present U.S. President Donald Trump with a reminder of close Anglo-American ties on Tuesday, marking his state visit to Britain with a copy of a 1941 charter that helped define the post-World War Two global order.

The display took place during the President's visit to the Palace and included the Declaration of Independence. The particular copy being shown is one of 200 printed in 1781.

RT @TRHLofficial: “Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captur…

RT @RealJamesWoods: “Permit me then to recommend from the sincerity of my heart, ready at all times to bleed in my country's cause, a Decla…

RT @RealJamesWoods: “Permit me then to recommend from the sincerity of my heart, ready at all times to bleed in my country's cause, a Decla…

Lincoln: "There is no reason in the world why the negro is not entitled to all the natural rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence....I hold that he is as much entitled to these as the white man." https://t.co/T5pGpVeUcH

I am a white man. The American Declaration of Independence sets forth some claim that all men are created equal. Life is just a fantasy, well?

Paragraph 2 Declaration of Independence We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,that among these are Life,Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

RT @RealJamesWoods: Sherman signed the Articles of Association (1774), which boycotted English goods, the Declaration of Independence, the…

RT @smashbaals: “America was never a Christian nation!” Reality: Of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence 29 had Seminary degr…

RT @NHKathySullivan: Reread John Stark"s "Live Free or Die" letter. He also said, I am now-the friend of the equal rights of men, of repre…

RT @RealJamesWoods: “Permit me then to recommend from the sincerity of my heart, ready at all times to bleed in my country's cause, a Decla…

RT @RealJamesWoods: “Permit me then to recommend from the sincerity of my heart, ready at all times to bleed in my country's cause, a Decla…

RT @RealJamesWoods: “Permit me then to recommend from the sincerity of my heart, ready at all times to bleed in my country's cause, a Decla…

RT @RealJamesWoods: I did some research and came up with this: “Benjamin Franklin stands alone as the only person to have signed all four o…

The trailer for #Outlander season 7 got my attention when it depicted a red coat tearing down a broadside of the Declaration of Independence. Print culture historians know that print can produce such strong reactions! https://t.co/qZn8jL0KH4

RT @RealJamesWoods: Sherman signed the Articles of Association (1774), which boycotted English goods, the Declaration of Independence, the…

RT @TRHLofficial: “Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captur…

RT @RealJamesWoods: “Permit me then to recommend from the sincerity of my heart, ready at all times to bleed in my country's cause, a Decla…

RT @BhollowDon: @BelannF As a descendant of a “signer” of The Declaration of Independence we must secure our borders before this bankrupts…

RT @ConstitutionCtr: #OnThisDay in 1744, Elbridge Gerry, an American Revolutionary leader, Declaration of Independence signer, Constitution…

RT @lvrboyhannie: he looks like he’s about to sign the declaration of independence https://t.co/pKtAcRby5Y

RT @citypaperbogota: It’s the start of Veinte de Julio week, and with final preparations for the Independence Day parade on Thursday by Col…

It’s the start of Veinte de Julio week, and with final preparations for the Independence Day parade on Thursday by Colombia’s Armed Forces, the declaration of independence from Spanish rule in 1810 also marks the inauguration of a new Congressional year. https://t.co/uxDAfitWad

RT @derrickjeter: On this day in Texas history, in 1835, at the Lavaca-Navidad Meeting, an assembly of colonists, gathered at William Milli…

RT @TRHLofficial: “Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captur…

“More than we often recognize, we live in a world of freedom and progress. Imperfect freedom and imperfect progress, but real progress. We have extended the promises of the Declaration of Independence to people to whom it had long been denied.” - @David_Boaz #ffest23 https://t.co/1pwyJIEhzI

I am a white man. The American Declaration of Independence sets forth some claim that all men are created equal. But I know how white men can lie. Step up, be bold. Tell a large audience that "you" were created equal to some KING of kings?

RT @derrickjeter: On this day in Texas history, in 1835, at the Lavaca-Navidad Meeting, an assembly of colonists, gathered at William Milli…

RT @Jetmanusa: Clearly The Democrats Dislike America, How It Was Founded, Our Founding Fathers, Etc. Constantly Treading On Our Declaratio…

I am a white man. The American Declaration of Independence sets forth some claim that all men are created equal. But I know how white men can lie.

RT @thehandsomezach: @dilanesper It’s America’s original sin. And it didn’t take “woke liberals” 200 odd years to point out this hypocrisy.…

Today how about a bit of humor from the Founding Father funnyman. Need a bit of context for this one. Right before signing the Declaration of Independence Benjamin Harrison V said this to Elbridge Gerry from MA. (FYI: His Son and Great Grandson became Presidents!!!) https://t.co/QUi3vJyEsI

RT @lvrboyhannie: he looks like he’s about to sign the declaration of independence https://t.co/pKtAcRby5Y

RT @lvrboyhannie: he looks like he’s about to sign the declaration of independence https://t.co/pKtAcRby5Y

RT @lvrboyhannie: he looks like he’s about to sign the declaration of independence https://t.co/pKtAcRby5Y

RT @lvrboyhannie: he looks like he’s about to sign the declaration of independence https://t.co/pKtAcRby5Y

RT @firstladyship: 18. Dan Fodio was inspired by another Jihadist Revolution in the Imamate of Futa Toro (present day Senegal), led by his…

RT @SeanAndrewMcGa1: Declaration of Domestication was inspired by a school book I was given about the Declaration of Independence & US Cons…

RT @lvrboyhannie: he looks like he’s about to sign the declaration of independence https://t.co/pKtAcRby5Y

RT @iluminatibot: Why they don't teach kids the declaration of independence https://t.co/gZqDwsxkwr

This is my favorite family document--a founding document, really. Kept by my cousin, Margie Jester, on her wall in Marion, Ohio. I took a photo of it. It is at once our family's declaration of independence and constitution rolled into one. A thread. https://t.co/qIA1hkSs6h