Congress passed the Lee Resolution on July 2, 1776, formally approving independence before the America250 founding date.
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced the resolution on June 7, 1776. Its key proposal declared that the United Colonies should be free and independent states, separated from Great Britain. It also addressed forming foreign alliances and creating a plan of confederation.
After debate and postponement, Congress voted on the independence portion on July 2. Twelve colonial delegations voted in favor, while New York abstained because its delegation had not yet received authorization. The resolution supplied the political decision; the Declaration of Independence supplied the public explanation.
John Adams expected July 2 to become the principal annual celebration. Instead, later generations centered national observance on July 4, when Congress approved the Declaration’s final text. That difference is one of the most common date mix-ups connected with America250.