The Second Continental Congress passed the resolution declaring the colonies independent on July 2, 1776.
Known as the Lee Resolution, it stated that the thirteen United Colonies were free and independent states. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced the proposal after Virginia’s convention instructed him to seek independence in Congress.
July 2 is therefore the date Congress resolved to separate from Great Britain. July 4 is remembered more widely because Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on that day. The Declaration explained and justified the decision already made by the Lee Resolution.
John Adams predicted that July 2 would be celebrated as a national anniversary. Instead, the date printed on the Declaration helped make July 4 the enduring Independence Day. America250 commemorates both milestones, but its official anniversary date is July 4, 2026.