What action did the Declaration of Independence take?

The Declaration of Independence primarily served to announce the American colonies' separation from Great Britain. This historic document, adopted on July 4, 1776, articulated the colonies' grievances against King George III and emphasized their right to self-governance. By formally declaring independence, the colonies sought to affirm their status as a sovereign nation, free from British rule.

While the document contains philosophical justifications for the separation and outlines the principles of individual rights and government by consent, it does not establish a governmental structure, declare war, or detail the creation of a constitution. Its main purpose was to proclaim that the thirteen colonies considered themselves independent states, no longer under British authority.