Lee Resolution Passed: America Declares Independence
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a resolution to the Second Continental Congress on June 7, 1776, declaring "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States." The vote was delayed until July 1 to allow reluctant delegates to receive new instructions from their colonial legislatures. In the meantime, Congress appointed a committee of five (Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston) to draft a formal declaration. Jefferson wrote the initial draft in 17 days. Congress voted for independence on July 2 (the date John Adams predicted would be celebrated) and approved the final text of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. The Declaration was not signed by most delegates until August 2.
June 7, 1776
250 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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