On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to adopt Lee’s resolution for independence. This is the day that John Adams thought should be celebrated with “Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” (John When did American colonies declare independence? On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to approve a Virginiamotion calling for separation from Britain. What Happened on July 4, 1776? On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, primarily authored by Thomas US Independence Day: On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson. Washington: On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring that the 13 American colonies were no longer under British rule. On July 4, 1776, Congress passed the Declaration of Independence. The document, drafted by Thomas Jefferson with input from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston, declared the creation of the United States of America – a new country independent from British rule. The body adopted the Lee Resolution for Independence on July 2, 1776, and the Declaration of Independence two days later, on July 4, 1776, proclaiming that the former colonies were now independent sovereign states. The Second Continental Congress served as the provisional government of the U.S. during most of the Revolutionary War. The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It was engrossed on parchment and on August 2, 1776, delegates began signing it. On July 2, Congress voted in favor of independence, and on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was approved. Copies were sent throughout the colonies to be read publicly. Battle of Long Island. After leaving Boston, British General Howe planned to use New York as a base. So Why Do We Celebrate on July 4? Because that’s the day the Declaration of Independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson was officially adopted by the Continental Congress. The document was dated July 4, 1776, and copies began circulating around the colonies. That date got stamped into public memory, even though the historic vote already happened. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It was engrossed on parchment and on August 2, 1776, delegates began signing it. The Declaration was first read in public on July 8 and later signed by most members of the Continental Congress on August 2. At the time, Americans weren’t agreed on which day to celebrate. 3. America actually declared independence on July 2, 1776 Delegates from the Thirteen Colonies held a meeting called the Second Continental Congress. The Congress proceeded to the appointment of two commissioners for Indian affairs in the middle department: Jasper Yeates and John Montgomery. Benjamin Franklin and James Wilson shall request that they attend the treaty with the Indians at Pittsburg, on the day appointed. In the minds of many Americans, July 4th is the nation’s birthday—the date celebrated with fireworks, patriotic speeches, and parades across the country. Yet it was on July 2, 1776, that the Continental Congress formally broke ties with Great Britain by adopting the Lee Resolution, a brief but momentous declaration of independence that severed the legal bonds between the thirteen American On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. The document announced the separation of the 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain. The vote actually took place on July 2 and was approved by 12 colonies (with New York abstaining). The Fourth of July is celebrated as Independence Day in the United States of America every year. On July 4 1776, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, which was largely authored by Thomson Jefferson. All 13 colonies were represented by the time the Congress adopted the Lee Resolution, which declared independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776, and the Congress unanimously agreed to the Declaration of Independence two days later. Finally, the Continental Congress voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The celebrations truly became widespread only after the War of 1812.
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