Page 11 - JM Teacher's Guide

Resource A
Declaration of inDepenDence timeline
June 7, 1776
Virginia Resolution Proposed
Richard Henry Lee, a delegate from Virginia, introduced a resolution before the Continental Congress “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.”
June 11, 1776
Committee of Five Appointed
Consideration of the Virginia Resolution was postponed. John Hancock, President of the Second Continental Congress, appointed the “Committee of Five” (John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston and Thomas Jefferson) to draft a statement that would be presented to the world that explained the colonies’ reasons for declaring independence.
June 11 – June 28, 1776
Declaration of Independence Drafted
During this time Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. John Adams and Benjamin Franklin made changes before it was presented to the Congress.
July 2, 1776
Virginia Resolution Adopted and Consideration of Declaration Began
The Virginia resolution was adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies (New York did not vote). Immediately afterward, Congress began to consider the Declaration of Independence. Congress made alterations and deletions from July 2 through the morning of the 4th.
July 4, 1776
Declaration of Independence Adopted and Printed
Early in the afternoon, the Second Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson and Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Second Continental Congress, took the Declaration to John Dunlap, official printer to the Congress, to have it printed.
July 5, 1776
Copies of the Declaration Dispatched
Copies of the printed Declaration were delivered to Charles Thomson. Later that day copies were dispatched to various committees, assemblies, and to the commanders of the Continental troops.
July 9, 1776
New York Approved
The New York Convention officially approved the action taken by the Second Continental Congress to approve the Declaration of Independence. The vote to approve the Declaration of Independence by the 13 colonies was now unanimous.
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