Independence Declared: 1776

Congress moves toward independence while the war continues. Delegates debate Richard Henry Lee’s resolution as a committee prepares a declaration before agreement is secured. British forces gather off Charleston and New York, and American troops defend Sullivan’s Island.

On July 2, Congress approves independence. Delegates then continue editing the declaration before adopting its final text. Copies leave Philadelphia and are read publicly in cities and to troops.

The colonies have declared themselves independent states. In New York, soldiers hear those words with the British fleet visible from shore.