Congress passed the Lee Resolution on July 2, 1776, two days before adopting the Declaration of Independence.
Introduced by Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee, the resolution stated that the United Colonies should be free and independent states. Congress approved it after extended debate, making July 2 the legal and political decision for independence.
The Declaration followed on July 4. It explained and justified the decision that Congress had already made through the Lee Resolution. John Adams believed July 2 would become the great annual independence celebration, but July 4 became the customary national holiday because it was the date printed on the Declaration.
The resolution and the Declaration are related but not identical. The resolution declared independence; the Declaration provided a public explanation, listed grievances, and announced the colonies’ new political status.