The Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
The document announced that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as independent states. Congress approved the final wording in Philadelphia after revising a draft prepared mainly by Thomas Jefferson. The vote for independence itself occurred on July 2, but the formal adoption and dating of the Declaration followed on July 4.
The date became the central national anniversary because the Declaration gave public, written expression to the break with Great Britain. John Adams believed July 2 would be remembered, but July 4 became the celebrated date through printed copies, public readings, and later tradition.
The parchment was not signed by all delegates on July 4. Most delegates signed on August 2, 1776, while additional signatures were added later. America250 marks the 250th anniversary of this 1776 declaration in 2026.