The Second Continental Congress adopted the resolution declaring the American colonies independent on July 2, 1776. This vote approved the Lee Resolution, which stated that the colonies were free and independent states and no longer politically connected to Great Britain.
The resolution was introduced by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. Congress debated the proposal during late June and early July, while delegates worked toward agreement among the thirteen colonial delegations. Twelve delegations voted in favor on July 2, while New York abstained because its delegates had not yet received authorization from the colonial legislature.
The date is sometimes overshadowed by July 4, the day Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence. John Adams even predicted that July 2 would become the great national anniversary. Instead, public celebrations eventually centered on July 4, when the declaration's text was formally adopted and sent for printing.