The Second Continental Congress passed the Lee Resolution on July 2, 1776, declaring the colonies independent from Great Britain.
The resolution was proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia after the Fifth Virginia Convention instructed him to seek independence. Its wording stated that the United Colonies were free and independent states, separate from the British Empire.
The Lee Resolution and the Declaration of Independence are closely related but not identical. The resolution made the formal political decision for independence; the Declaration, approved two days later on July 4, explained the reasons and announced that decision publicly.
John Adams believed July 2 would become the most memorable date in American history because of the resolution. Independence Day is instead celebrated on July 4, the date Congress approved the Declaration's final text.