On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a resolution before the Second Continental Congress, advocating for the United Colonies to declare themselves "free and independent States." This resolution also proposed seeking foreign alliances and establishing a plan for confederation, which later evolved into the Articles of Confederation. This pivotal moment was the culmination of a series of revolutionary resolutions and actions at the local and colonial levels. For instance, on May 10, 1776, a resolution drafted by John Adams called upon colonies to form new governments, effectively serving as a de facto declaration of independence. Prior to this, on April 12, 1776, North Carolina's assembly, through the Halifax Resolves, authorized its delegates to vote for independence. Virginia's Fifth Revolutionary Convention, on May 15, 1776, also unanimously instructed its delegates to propose independence, foreign alliances, and a confederation. These early resolutions underscore the growing sentiment for complete separation from Great Britain, leading directly to the formal declaration.
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee stood before the Continental Congress with a resolution declaring that the united colonies were free and independe…
