The Second Continental Congress approved the Lee Resolution two days before adopting the Declaration celebrated by America250.
Introduced by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, the resolution stated that the United Colonies should be free and independent states. Congress approved it on July 2, 1776, making the independence decision before it finalized the explanatory Declaration of Independence.
The two events are often blended together because the Declaration was dated July 4 and became the better-known public statement. John Adams even predicted that July 2 would be remembered as the great anniversary. In practice, July 4 became the national Independence Day because it is the date printed on the Declaration.