The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, proclaiming the separation of the thirteen American colonies from British rule and asserting natural rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The American Declaration of Independence in 1776 not only inspired Romantic poets with its ideals of liberty and individualism but also shaped the thematic landscape of poetry. Poets like Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Keats echoed the revolutionary spirit, using their works to advocate for personal freedom and challenge oppressive authority.