The Declaration of Independence was made in 1776 to announce that the thirteen American colonies were no longer part of the British Empire. The colonies were fighting a war for independence against the British and they wanted to explain why they were fighting. The Declaration of Independence said that all people are created equal and have certain rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It also said that governments should be created to protect these rights and that people have the right to change their government if it does not protect their rights. The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in American history because it explains why the United States was founded and what its values are.