The Fourth of July Myth: Our Independence Was Actually Declared Two Days Earlier!

For many Americans, the Fourth of July is a time to celebrate our freedom from Great Britain and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. But, many people don't realize they could start the party early; July 2, to be exact.

The Continental Congress claimed its independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776. The famed document that sealed the deal, The Declaration of Independence, was adopted and dated July 4, 1776. It wasn't even signed by all the delegates of the Continental Congress until 1781.

The ball started rolling about a month earlier, on June 7, 1776 when Richard Henry Lee, a delegate from Virginia, presented the Continental Congress with a resolution stating that the colonies should be free from British rule and that all political ties with the British Crown should be dissolved. Discussion of Lee's resolution was postponed until the Congress reconvened after a 3 week recess.

On July 1, the Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin and Robert Livingston; a group known as The Committee of Five.

During a Congressional meeting on July 2, Lee's resolution was discussed and adopted. Then consideration was given to The Committee of Five's new document, The Declaration of Independence, which included the sentiments of Lee's resolution. When the British Army arrived in New York on July 2, Congress officially declared independence from Great Britain. Two days later they finalized the document to make the announcement official.

On July 4, 1776 a final draft of the Declaration of Indepence was adopted and taken to John Dunlap, a Philadelphia printer. He printed the document, which is now known as the "Dunlap Broadsides." Reports indicate that 200-500 copies of the broadsides were printed for the members of congress to peruse. There are only 25 broadsides known to exist today. On July 4, 1776 one copy was signed by President John Hancock and Secretary of the Continental Congress, Charles Thomson, to be presented to King George III, the king of Great Britain and Ireland.

In the following weeks the document was printed in the Pennsylvania Evening Post newspaper and readings were held for the public and American Army. The signing ceremony was held nearly a month later on August 2, 1776. Fifty-six delegates signed the document, but not all could attend the ceremony on August 2.

Finally in 1781, the last signature was placed on the document by Thomas McKean, a representative of Delaware for the Continental Congress, who was elected President of Congress that same year.