John adams believed that july 2 would go down as independence day for the young nation.
Declaration of independence july 2. For the next 2 days congress debated the wording of its official announcement of independence making several revisions to jefferson s declaration. That line was drawn in the sand two hundred and forty two years ago today. Congress thought it of the utmost importance that independence be. John adams in his writings even noted that july 2 would be remembered in the annals of american history and would be marked with fireworks and celebrations.
The unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states of america when in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature s god entitle them a decent respect to. Legal historian wilfred ritz concluded in 1986 that about 34 delegates signed the declaration on july 4 and that the others signed on or after august 2. On july 1 1776 debate on the lee resolution resumed as planned with a majority of the delegates favoring the resolution. 56 men would sign the declaration of independence in the days and weeks that followed giving birth to a nation unique in all history.
Most of the members of the continental congress signed a version of the declaration on august 2 1776 in philadelphia. Independence day should have been july 2 july 2 1776 is the day that the continental congress actually voted for independence. Historians have generally accepted mckean s version of events arguing that the famous signed version of the declaration was created after july 19 and was not signed by congress until august 2 1776. A nation founded on an idea.
On july 4 1776 continental congress president john hancock s signature authenticated the united states declaration of independence. On july 8 1776 colonel john nixon of philadelphia read a printed declaration of independence to the public for the first time on what is now called independence square.