In the history commemorated by America250, which document formally announced the American colonies’ independence?

In the history commemorated by America250, the Declaration of Independence formally announced the American colonies’ independence.

The Second Continental Congress adopted the document on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia. It explained why the thirteen colonies considered separation from Great Britain necessary and presented independence as a political change grounded in stated principles and grievances.

Thomas Jefferson drafted the principal text, while Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston served with him on the Committee of Five. Congress revised Jefferson’s draft before adopting it. The document’s famous opening ideas later became central to American civic language.

A common mix-up is confusing the Declaration with the Lee Resolution. Congress approved the Lee Resolution on July 2, 1776, as the formal independence decision; the Declaration supplied the public explanation and was adopted two days later. America250 commemorates the 250th anniversary of that 1776 independence declaration.