What year did the Second Continental Congress adopt the Declaration of Independence?

The year the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence is 1776. This pivotal moment in American history marked the formal assertion of the thirteen colonies' intention to separate from British rule. The adoption occurred on July 4, 1776, when the Congress officially approved the document that Thomas Jefferson had drafted outlining the colonies’ grievances against King George III and articulating the principles of individual rights and government by consent of the governed.

The choice of 1776 is significant not only because it represents the year of the Declaration's adoption but also because it symbolizes the birth of the United States as an independent nation, inspiring movements for democracy and self-determination globally. The other dates provided correspond to different events in American history: 1774 refers to the First Continental Congress, 1781 marks the official end of the Revolutionary War with the Articles of Confederation being ratified, and 1789 is the year the U.S. Constitution was adopted, establishing the framework of the current government.