Timeline by Tristan Pfeiffer

June 7, 1776: Lee resolution

26tpfeiffer — 2023-12-07 00:42:14 UTC

Richard Henry Lee, a delegate from Virginia read a resolution before the continental Congress that these United Colonies are and have the right to be free and so should independent states. And that all political connection between them and Great Britain should be dissolved.

June 11- July 1, 1776: Declaration of Independence Drafted

26tpfeiffer — 2023-12-07 00:42:21 UTC

Congress recessed for three weeks. And during this period the committee of 5 drafted the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson drafted it, Adam’s and Franklin made changes to it. Congress reconvened on July 1, 1776.

July 2, 1776: Lee resolution adopted and consideration of declaration

26tpfeiffer — 2023-12-07 00:42:24 UTC

On July 2, the Lee resolution was adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies. Immediately afterward, congress began to. Consider the declaration. Congress made some alterations and deletions to it on July 2, ,3, and 4.

June 11, 1776: Committee of 5 appointed

26tpfeiffer — 2023-12-07 00:42:26 UTC

consideration of the Lee resolution was postponed, and the committee of 5 was appointed to draft a statement that would be presented to the world. This statement as about independence.

July 4, 1776: Declaration of Independence adopted and printed

26tpfeiffer — 2023-12-07 00:45:20 UTC

Late in the morning of July 4, the declaration was officially adopted, and the committee of five took the manuscript copy of the document to John Dunlap, official printer to the congress

July 5, 1776: Copies of the Declaration dispatched

26tpfeiffer — 2023-12-07 00:47:19 UTC

On the morning of the July 5, copies were printed by John Dunlap were dispatched by members of congress to various committees, assemblies, and to the commanders of the continental troops.

July 19, 1776: Congress orders the declaration engrossed on parchment

26tpfeiffer — 2023-12-07 00:49:52 UTC

Congress ordered that the declaration be fairly engrossed on parchment, with title and stile of the unanimous declaration of the thirteen United States of America and that the same, when engrossed, be signed by every member of congress

August 2, 1776: Declaration signed

26tpfeiffer — 2023-12-07 00:52:42 UTC

The document was signed by most of the members on August 2. George Washington on August 27. On September 4, Richard Henry Lee, Eldridge Gerry, and Oliver Walcott signed. Mathew Thornton signed on November 19, and Thomas McKean signed in 1781