Introduction:

The Declaration of Independence is a crucial document in American history that serves as a symbol of freedom and democracy. When writing a research paper, essay, or report that references this document, it is essential to properly cite the source. In this article, we will explore three easy ways to cite the Declaration of Independence using Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), and Chicago styles.

2.MLA Citation:

In the Modern Language Association (MLA) style, the Declaration of Independence should be cited in the body of your text through parenthetical citation and within your Works Cited page.

Parenthetical Citation: Reference the Declaration in your in-text citation with “United States, Declaration” followed by the paragraph number.

Example: (United States, Declaration para. 2)

Works Cited Entry: Include an entry on your Works Cited page as follows:

United States. “Declaration of Independence.” National Archives, 2026, www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration.

2.APA Citation:

When using the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style, both an in-text citation and a reference list entry are needed.

In-text Citation: Reference the source in your text with “U.S. Declaration of Independence” and paragraph number.

Example: (U.S. Declaration of Independence para. 2)

Reference List Entry: Add an entry to your reference list with the following format:

United States. (1776). Declaration of Independence. National Archives. Retrieved 2026 from https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration

3.Chicago Citation:

Finally, when citing the Declaration of Independence using Chicago style, parenthetical citations should be used in the text and a bibliography page must be included.

Parenthetical Citation: Use “Declaration” followed by the paragraph number.

Example: (Declaration para. 2)

Bibliography Entry: Add an entry to your bibliography page formatted like this:

United States. Declaration of Independence. 1776. National Archives. Accessed 2026. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration

Conclusion:

Properly citing the Declaration of Independence in a paper or report is crucial to maintain academic integrity and accurately credit your sources. Following these guidelines accurately for MLA, APA, or Chicago citation styles will ensure your writing is both professional and respectful of source material. Always double-check with your instructor or editor for any specific citation preferences in your assignment or publication.