The Lee Resolution formally asserted that the Thirteen Colonies were independent states.
The Second Continental Congress approved the resolution on July 2, 1776. It declared that the United Colonies were “free and independent States” and that their political connection with Great Britain was dissolved. The resolution was introduced by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, whose name became attached to it.
The Lee Resolution and the Declaration of Independence are closely related but were not the same document. The resolution made the formal decision for independence; the Declaration, approved two days later, explained the reasons and principles behind that decision.
The July 2 vote was not completely unanimous because New York’s delegates had not yet received authorization to support independence. New York later joined the other colonies. Americans ultimately celebrated July 4 because that was the date the Declaration’s final text was approved.