Congress passed the Lee Resolution on July 2, 1776, before the America250 anniversary.
Introduced by Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee, the resolution declared that the United Colonies should be free and independent states. It provided the formal political decision for independence before Congress approved the explanatory Declaration of Independence.
The resolution’s passage is why John Adams believed July 2 would become the great national anniversary. Instead, July 4 became the celebrated date because Congress adopted and published the Declaration on that day.
The two events are closely related but not identical. July 2 marks the decision to declare independence, while July 4 marks approval of the document that explained the decision and listed grievances against King George III.