Which body adopted the Declaration of Independence, whose anniversary America250 marks?

The Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, whose 250th anniversary America250 marks. It acted as the governing body of the thirteen colonies during the early part of the American Revolutionary War.

The congress met in Philadelphia beginning in May 1775, after fighting had already begun at Lexington and Concord. Its delegates managed the war effort, authorized the Continental Army, appointed George Washington as commander in chief, and handled diplomacy and finance for the revolutionary cause.

On July 2, 1776, Congress voted for independence. Two days later, on July 4, it adopted the final wording of the Declaration of Independence. The document explained the political case for separation from Great Britain and publicly announced the colonies’ new status.

The First Continental Congress had met in 1774 to coordinate resistance to British policies, but it did not declare independence. The Constitutional Convention was a later gathering, held in 1787 to draft the U.S. Constitution. These similarly named bodies are common sources of confusion.