Congress approved the Lee Resolution on July 2, 1776, before the America250 declaration.
Proposed by Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee, the resolution stated that the United Colonies were free and independent states and no longer subject to Great Britain. It was the formal congressional decision for independence.
The Declaration of Independence followed two days later. Its purpose was to explain and publicly announce the decision made through the Lee Resolution. The different dates are a common source of confusion because Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4.
John Adams predicted that July 2 would become the great anniversary festival, but July 4 became the traditional holiday because Congress approved the declaration’s final wording on that date.