The Lee Resolution was the measure Congress approved on July 2, 1776, calling for American independence.
Introduced by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, the resolution stated that the United Colonies should be free and independent states. Congress approved the independence portion on July 2, two days before it adopted the Declaration of Independence.
The Declaration served as a formal explanation and public statement of the decision. It described the political grievances against King George III and presented arguments for separation, while the Lee Resolution supplied the essential congressional decision itself.
John Adams believed July 2 would become the principal anniversary of American independence. In practice, July 4 became the celebrated date because it was the day Congress adopted the Declaration’s final text.