The Lee Resolution preceded the Declaration of Independence commemorated by America’s 250th anniversary.
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced the resolution in the Second Continental Congress on June 7, 1776. It proposed that the colonies should be declared free and independent states, that foreign alliances should be considered, and that a plan of confederation should be prepared.
Congress approved the independence portion on July 2, 1776. It then considered and revised Jefferson’s draft before adopting the Declaration of Independence on July 4.
The Lee Resolution and the Declaration are related but not identical. The resolution was the formal congressional decision to pursue independence; the Declaration explained that decision and presented its political and philosophical justification to the world.