Congress passed the Lee Resolution on July 2, 1776, two days before the Declaration commemorated by America250.
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed the resolution, which stated that the United Colonies were free and independent states and that their political connection with Great Britain should end. The Second Continental Congress approved its independence section on July 2 after weeks of debate and efforts to secure colonial support.
The Declaration of Independence followed on July 4. It explained and justified the decision announced by the Lee Resolution, which is why the two dates are closely related but not interchangeable. John Adams famously predicted that July 2 would become the great anniversary festival, but public celebrations instead settled on July 4.
The Lee Resolution originally contained three parts. Its independence section passed on July 2; proposals concerning foreign alliances and a plan of confederation were handled separately. The resolution was named for Lee, who introduced it after receiving instructions from Virginia’s revolutionary government.