The Second Continental Congress approved Richard Henry Lee's independence resolution on July 2, 1776.
Known as the Lee Resolution, it declared that the Thirteen Colonies were “free and independent States” and no longer politically connected to Great Britain. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced the proposal in Congress on June 7, following instructions from the Virginia Convention.
The vote on independence was delayed for several weeks while delegates sought authorization from their colonies. On July 2, twelve colonial delegations supported the resolution; New York abstained because its delegates had not yet received instructions. The vote created the legal break with Britain before the explanatory Declaration of Independence was finalized.
The date is often confused with July 4, the day Congress approved the wording of the Declaration of Independence. John Adams predicted that July 2 would become the principal anniversary, but Americans instead came to celebrate July 4. Congress later approved the resolution's separate proposals for foreign alliances and a confederation.