The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence is said to have been signed in May 1775 in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, by prominent leaders from the area. The specifics surrounding this event are shrouded in mystery and debate, as the authenticity of the document and its date of signing have been contested. The declaration reportedly proclaimed the colonies' independence from British rule, making it one of the earliest declarations in the American colonies. Local tradition holds that the signers were motivated by escalating tensions with British authorities and an increasing desire for self-governance and autonomy.

There are few surviving copies of the Mecklenburg Declaration, with the version that is most widely referenced being discovered well after the purported signing. The declaration did not gain substantial recognition at the time and remained relatively obscure until the mid-19th century, when it was rediscovered and brought to light by historians and antiquarians. Its significance has been further complicated by the lack of contemporaneous documentation substantiating its authenticity.

Nevertheless, the event reflects the sentiments of many colonists who were growing increasingly frustrated with British governance. In Charlotte, a burgeoning military and political presence was shaping the region's future, and the declaration symbolized the locals' intent to take a stand against oppression. Though its exact details remain debated, the Mecklenburg Declaration is celebrated in some circles as a precursor to the more widely acknowledged Declaration of Independence, demonstrating a grassroots uprising against colonial rule.