Founding & RightsJuly 2, 1776

Independence was voted on July 2

Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776.

July 4 marks adoption of the Declaration’s text, not the vote to separate. John Adams expected the second of July to be the day Americans celebrated.

Source

Resources declarationofindependenceNational Park Service

Keep going

Founding & Rights

Years to the day after the Declaration

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826, the Declaration of Independence's 50th anniversary.July 4, 1826Read it Founding & Rights

Signers of the Declaration of Independence

Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence.1776Read it Founding & Rights

The Declaration's youngest signer, Edward Rutledge, was 26. Its oldest, Benjamin Franklin, was 70.1776Read it