America's Independence: Not a Gift from the King

No British monarch "allowed" the United States to become a country. The sequence was:

1. 1776: Thirteen colonies declared independence from King George III via the Declaration of Independence (adopted July 4, signed primarily Aug 2). George Washington was Commander of the Continental Army, not a signer of the Declaration.
2. 1775–1783: Revolutionary War—colonies fought and won military independence.
3. 1783: Treaty of Paris—Britain recognized US sovereignty under George III.
4. 1789: Washington became first President under the new Constitution.

Independence was seized by revolution and diplomacy, not granted by royal decree.