SPJ Addendum:
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
What's so commonly known today as the Declaration of Independence was not titled thus because its purpose wasn't to declare independence itself, but to declare to the world the reasons why American independence had already been declared two days earlier.
On July 2, 1776, the moment Congress passed Richard Henry Lee's June 7, 1776 resolution declaring that “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states....and that all political connection between them and The State of Great Britain is, and of right ought to be, totally dissolved”, America totally separated itself forever more from Great Britain by legislatively declaring its independence.
In fact, John Adams, revolutionary patriot extraordinaire and second President of the United States of America, wrote to his wife Abigail the very next day (July 3):
In fact, John Adams, revolutionary patriot extraordinaire and second President of the United States of America, wrote to his wife Abigail the very next day (July 3):
"The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. -- I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. -- Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not."
- Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776, "Had a Declaration..." . 3 pages. Original manuscript from the Adams Family Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.
But it would be the revolutionary words which Thomas Jefferson was most responsible for writing and the Congress' adoption of them that the world would take most notice of, as evidenced by the facts that the so-called Declaration of Independence almost instantly took its place among the most renown of history's greatest political writings, and that every 4th of July in America since has been celebrated world-famously as its Independence Day.
The Lee Resolution
June 7, 1776
Second Continental Congress
June 7, 1776
Second Continental Congress
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 connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.
That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.
That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.
That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.
That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.
SPJ notes:
The plan for making treaties was not approved until September of 1776;
the plan of confederation was delayed until November of 1777.