What is the difference between the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) was the official document that stated the independence of America from international control... i.e. it was America's declaration of independence from Britain. It is the document that "organized" the thirteen colonies and announced their independence from foreign control. Basically, the Declaration of Independence "made" America.

The Constitution of the United States of America (September 17, 1787) is the "rulebook" of the newly independent nation. The Constitution describes how this independent nation was to be governed and how its people were to govern themselves as American citizens.

The Declaration is the birth certificate, the Constitution is the instruction manual.

Make sense?