LEE RESOLUTION ASSERTING COLONIES' INDEPENDENCE FROM GREAT BRITAIN PASSED BY CONGRESS
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) 250 years ago today, July 2, 1776, "The Resolution for Independence" was passed by the Second Continental Congress asserting that the Thirteen "United Colonies" are "free and independent" of Great Britain.
The Lee Resolution, proposed by Richard Henry Lee* of Virginia on June 7, 1776, resolved...
"that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connections between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."
John Adams of Massachusetts, in a letter to his wife Abigail, dated July 3, 1776 wrote...
"The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated...with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations."
Mr. Adams was so right about the celebrations, he just missed the date by 2 days. We celebrate the date the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Second Continental Congress, July 4th, rather than the date the Resolution of Independence was passed, July 2nd.
*Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794) was born at Stratford Hall, Virginia & served in the Virginia House of Burgesses 1758-1776, as president of the Continental Congress (one year term) & in the U.S. Senate 1789-1792.
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