[MarcusTulliusCicero]

Therefore, we became independent on the 2nd. You, however, can celebrate Declaration day, if you like!

[Pyro7480]

You, however, can celebrate Declaration day, if you like!

LOL! I do have a bit of bias, since my birthday is the Fourth. (hence the 7-4-80)

[Christopher Lincoln]

The resolution, moved by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia on June 7, read, in full: "Resolved, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States". When has more meaning been expressed in one sentence?

The vote on the resolution was delayed while a committee was appointed to prepare a declaration "to the effect of the said ... resolution". The committee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. On July 2, Lee's resolution was put to a vote and passed by 12 states to none; the New York delegation had received no instructions and did not vote. On July 4, the Declaration itself was passed by the same vote. On the 15th, the New York delegation having finally received instructions, the vote of that state was recorded for both the resolution and the Declaration, making both unanimous.