Which event is known for marking the beginning of American independence?

The event that is recognized for marking the beginning of American independence is the Declaration of Independence. This document, adopted on July 4, 1776, formally declared the thirteen American colonies' intention to separate from British rule. It articulated the colonies' grievances against King George III and asserted their right to self-governance, laying the philosophical foundations for a new nation based on the principles of liberty and equality.

While other events like the Boston Tea Party and the Revolutionary War were significant in the context of rising tensions and the struggle for independence, they do not represent the formal declaration of independence itself. The signing of the Treaty of Paris, which occurred later in 1783, marked the official end of the Revolutionary War and recognized American sovereignty, but it came after the pivotal moment proclaimed by the Declaration. Thus, the Declaration of Independence is the defining event that symbolizes the official start of America's journey toward independence.