The United States Declaration of Independence received final adoption on July 4, 1776. On that day, the Second Continental Congress approved the document explaining why the Thirteen Colonies were separating from Great Britain.
The Declaration was drafted mainly by Thomas Jefferson, with contributions and revisions from the Committee of Five and the Continental Congress. Congress debated the wording during late June and early July before approving the final text. The document announced that the colonies were now free and independent states.
July 4 is commonly called Independence Day because it marks the Declaration's adoption, not necessarily the day every delegate signed the parchment copy. Most delegates signed the engrossed document on August 2, 1776, while some signed later. The Declaration therefore has several important dates: July 2 for the independence resolution, July 4 for adoption, and August 2 for the main signing ceremony. America250 highlights the 250th anniversary of the 1776 adoption.