What is the importance of the Declaration of Independence?

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In this document, written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, American colonies announced themselves to be free and independent from Great Britain and set forth the revolutionary principle of democracy.The Declaration of Independence establishes equality as the basis for American political thought and makes "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" universal rights.It dethrones government as a higher power and renders it subject to the people's consent.It transforms the nature of political life, supplanting the commands of a king with the discussion and debate suitable to a free people.