Which body adopted the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776?

The Second Continental Congress adopted the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

The Congress met at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, a building later renamed Independence Hall. Its delegates represented the thirteen American colonies during the Revolutionary War. The body had originally gathered to coordinate resistance and address disputes with Great Britain, but support for independence grew during 1775 and 1776.

On July 2, Congress passed the Lee Resolution, declaring that the colonies were free and independent states. It then debated, edited, and approved the formal Declaration on July 4. The document explained the break with the British Crown and presented a political case for independence.

The Declaration was later engrossed on parchment and signed by delegates. Although popular tradition connects the document mainly with July 4, adoption, public readings, and signing were separate events occurring on different dates.