On what date did Congress formally approve the name “United States of America”?

Congress formally approved the name “United States of America” on September 9, 1776.

The phrase had already appeared in the Declaration of Independence, which Congress adopted on July 4. However, using a phrase in the Declaration and formally establishing it as the country’s name were separate congressional actions.

On September 9, 1776, Congress resolved that references to the “United Colonies” in official documents should be replaced with “United States.” This decision came more than two months after the Declaration and helped establish the country’s new political identity.

The date is often confused with July 4 because the Declaration is the best-known founding document. July 4 marks approval of the Declaration; September 9 marks Congress’s formal naming decision, a neighboring fact relevant to America250 history.