The Second Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776, before the Declaration’s July 4 proclamation commemorated by America250.
Congress approved the Lee Resolution on July 2, declaring that the United Colonies were free and independent states. The Declaration of Independence, mainly written by Thomas Jefferson, was then proclaimed on July 4. That later date became the basis for the annual Independence Day holiday and the 2026 Semiquincentennial.
The distinction between July 2 and July 4 is historically important. John Adams believed July 2 would become the celebrated national anniversary because it marked the formal independence vote. Instead, July 4 prevailed because it was the date printed on the Declaration.
The Declaration was formally signed by many delegates later, with the most famous signing ceremony associated with August 2, 1776. That date is another reason the three events are sometimes mistakenly treated as one.