The Congress met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and they appointed a committee (a group of people working together to do a specific job) to write a formal document that would tell Great Britain that the Americans had decided to govern themselves. The committee asked Thomas Jefferson to write a draft (first try) of the document, so he worked for days, in absolute secret, until he had written a document that he thought said everything important that the committee had discussed. On June 28, 1776, the committee met to read Jefferson's "fair" copy (he put his best ideas together and wrote them neatly.) They revised (made some changes) the document and declared their independence on July 2, 1776. They officially adopted it (made it theirs) on July 4, 1776. That is why we call it "Independence Day." Congress ordered that all members must sign the Declaration of Independence and they all began signing the "official" copy on August 2, 1776. In January of the next year, Congress sent signed copies to all of the states.
4/7/1776 The Declaration of Independence which announced that the thirteen American colonies, when at war with GB, regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. the United States of America was formed.
2/8/1776 a copy of the Declaration was signed by 56 persons. Many of these people were not present when the original Declaration was signed.
Argues have since then been about when the declaration really were official signed and valid.
August 2, 1776 is when the Declaration of Independence was singed
August 2, 1776 is when the most delegates had signed the declaration of independance.
August 2, 1776. NOT on July 4, 1776, as is commonly believed. -Akilae
August 2, 1776
July 4, 1776. However, many historians believe the true date was August 2, 1776.
The "Official" Declaration of Independence was Signed
August 2, 1776 is when the Declaration of Independence was singed
August 2, 1776 is when the most delegates had signed the declaration of independance.
August 2, 1776. NOT on July 4, 1776, as is commonly believed. -Akilae
The debate on the Declaration of Indepence begins.
Most members of congress signed the official, engrossed copy on August 2, 1776.
August 2, 1776
July 4, 1776 Signed on August 2, 1776.
The declaration of independence was singed on August 2, 1776, one month after its adoption.
July 4, 1776. Declaration of Independence.
July 4, 1776. However, many historians believe the true date was August 2, 1776.
This answer is absolutely false. The Declaration of Independence was signed (by most) by the date of August 1776. The colonies DECLARED independence on July 2, 1776 by a formal vote of congress.