Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Independence, Declaration of" to "Indo-European Languages" Volume 14, Slice 4

Step into a concise, well‑structured overview of the birth of American independence. The entry walks listeners through the shifting colonial grievances that moved from economic disputes to a decisive claim of sovereignty, highlighting the pivotal motions of Richard Henry Lee and the collaborative drafting committee that included Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston. Listeners hear how Congress navigated dissent, the timing of votes, and the careful wording that turned a resolution into the celebrated document announced on July 4, 1776.

Set within a volume that spans topics from the Declaration of Independence to the study of Indo‑European languages, this excerpt showcases the encyclopedia’s clear, factual style. It offers a snapshot of the political maneuvering, the roles of key states, and the nuanced differences between Jefferson’s draft and the final version adopted by the fledgling nation—perfect for anyone curious about the origins of a cornerstone of modern democracy.