We celebrate the Declaration of Independence of the 4th of July, but what is this Declaration of Independence?
Many colonist still longed for reconciliation with Great Britain, even after the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
In May 1775, the 2nd Continental Congress convened and petitioned King George III for reconciliation, but he only agitated the situation.
After the Prohibitory Act of 1776, colonist began to voice a desire for independence from Great Britain.
In the beginning, these declarations took on a variety of forms. North Carolina was the first colony to authorize delegates to vote for independence.
On May 15, 1776, Congress appointed a committee to draft a preamble to explain the resolution. John Adams wrote this document.
On that same day, Virginia instructed to “declare the Colonies free and independent states…to the Crown or Parliament of Great Britain.”
In the final weeks of June 1776, other legislatures began to send delegates to vote for independence.
On June 11, 1776, Congress appointed a Committee of Five to draft a declaration. The committee discussed the general outline and Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft. Changes were then made as needed.
For two days, Congress ordered the draft “lie on the table” while they poured over it.
Votes and speeches were made before John Hancock was the first to sign the document on July 4th. He stated “”There! I guess King George will be able to read that!” and wrote his signature large enough the king did not need his spectacles.
Historians debate if the document was actually signed on July 4. We do know not all of the delegates signed on this date, as many signed on or after August 2, 1776.
Did you know two future presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, signed the Declaration of Independence?
Votes and speeches were made before John Hancock was the first to sign the document on July 4th. He stated “”There! I guess King George will be able to read that!” and wrote his signature large enough the king did not need his spectacles.
Historians debate if the document was actually signed on July 4. We do know not all of the delegates signed on this date, as many signed on or after August 2, 1776.
Did you know two future presidents the declaration? They were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.