England
Err... Great Britain?
Great Britain on the 4th of July 1776.
NOvaNet---England
The second continental congress declared independence.
1776
Haiti is an independent republic. It controls itself.
South Carolina succeeded in seceding first.
It did so in 1777 and remained one until it joined the Union in 1791.
Texas is a administered state of the United State of America. Therefore, it does not contain any independent sovereignties within itself.
The United States became an independent country in 1776, separating itself from the British rule.
Recognition, or more specifically diplomatic recognition. While a region may declare itself independent from the parent country, its success is often tied to recognition by other countries, who can then engage in trade and investment.
1776