The Lee Resolution declared the American colonies independent on July 2, 1776.
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced the resolution in the Second Continental Congress on June 7, 1776. Its central statement declared that the United Colonies were, and should be, free and independent states. Congress approved that independence resolution on July 2.
The Declaration of Independence followed as a formal explanation of the decision. Congress adopted the Declaration’s text on July 4, which is why the United States celebrates Independence Day on that date. John Adams even predicted that July 2 would be remembered as the great annual anniversary, but July 4 ultimately became the traditional date.
July 2 and July 4 therefore mark different steps in the same founding process. August 2 is associated with the major signing of the engrossed parchment. These dates are often blended together, but the Lee Resolution itself belongs specifically to July 2, 1776.