Declaration of independence

A Declaration of Independence is a document declaring the independence of one country from another, or the action of so declaring, performed by the use of such a document.

The first formal declaration of independence was the Declaration of Arbroath in which Scottish leaders declared Scotland's independence from England on behalf of the Scottish people in 1320.

One of the most famous declarations of independence is that of the thirteen American colonies that went on to make up the United States of America, dated 1776, which declared independence from the United Kingdom. See United States Declaration of Independence.

Other nations, or aspiring nations, which have made formal declarations of independence, include [The Netherlands]? (from Spain, 1581?) as well as [The Republic of Texas]? (from Mexico, 1836).