The Continental Congress voted to declare American independence on July 2, 1776.
The vote approved the Lee Resolution, introduced by Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee. It stated that the thirteen colonies should be free and independent states. Congress then spent the next two days editing and approving the Declaration of Independence, adopting the final document on July 4.
This distinction explains why July 4 became the United States' national Independence Day even though the formal independence vote came two days earlier. The Declaration announced and justified the decision in carefully crafted language, including its famous statement about equality and unalienable rights.
The document was engrossed and signed later. Most delegates signed the parchment on August 2, 1776, although some signatures were added afterward. Thus, July 2 was the decisive independence vote, July 4 was the adoption and public anniversary date, and August 2 is associated with the main signing ceremony.