On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the thirteen American colonies independence from Great Britain. This event marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, a conflict that would last until 1783. The Declaration, authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson, outlined the colonies grievances against the British crown and their desire for self-governance. While the Declaration was a symbolic victory, the wars devastation and loss of life resulted in significant hardships for the colonists. The United States independence was eventually secured, changing the course of world history.