American Bedrock: Exploring the Declaration of Independence and the U. S. Constitution - Paperbackby Steven A. Carlson (Author) In the United States of America we annually celebrate our independence on July 4th, commemorating the 1776 congressional approval of the Declaration of Independence. The Constitution of the United States of America was completed several years later. It was signed by members of the Congress of the Confederation on September 17, 1787, and submitted to the states for ratification shortly thereafter. Rhode Island, on May 29,