The document that asserts the principle of popular sovereignty, where government derives its power from the people, is the Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, by the thirteen American colonies. Crafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it declares that governments are instituted to secure rights and derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. The Declaration emphasizes individual rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness while justifying the colonies' separation from British rule. This foundational document has profoundly influenced democratic movements worldwide, reinforcing the idea that authority rests with the people.