Who authored the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence is a foundational document in American history that was primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson. He was selected to draft the document by the Second Continental Congress, which convened in June 1776 to address the growing tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain. Jefferson's writing eloquently expressed the colonies' desire for independence and articulated the Enlightenment ideals of individual liberty and the social contract.

His work in drafting the Declaration not only emphasized the right of the people to overthrow a government that does not protect their rights but also established the core values that would define the nation. While other founding figures, such as John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, played significant roles in the independence movement and contributed to the document's final form through discussion and revision, it was Jefferson who provided the initial prose that captured the spirit of the revolution and the vision for a new, independent nation.

This makes Jefferson the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, which is why the choice indicating his authorship is correct.