Lee Resolution Passed: America Declares Independence
The Second Continental Congress voted to sever ties with Britain on July 2, 1776, transforming the colonies into a sovereign nation before the Declaration of Independence text received its final approval two days later. This specific vote established the legal reality of American independence, which is why the new country eventually celebrated the date of the actual decision rather than the date the explanatory document was signed.
June 7, 1776
250 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on June 7
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