Congress passed the Lee Resolution on July 2, 1776, two days before adopting the Declaration of Independence.
Also called the Resolution for Independence, it formally declared that the United Colonies were free and independent states and no longer owed allegiance to the British Crown. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced the proposal in Congress.
The resolution and the Declaration served different purposes. The Lee Resolution made the formal political decision for independence, while the Declaration explained and announced that decision to a wider audience. Congress adopted the Declaration’s final text on July 4.
John Adams believed July 2 might become the great annual anniversary because it was the date independence was formally resolved. In practice, Americans celebrated July 4 because that was the date associated with the Declaration. America250 follows the July 4 tradition.