Happy July 2nd!

It was on July 2, 1776 that the Continental Congress voted on the issue and declared the American colonies independent. John Adams said, "The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America."

Two days later, on the 4th, a second vote was taken. Again, twelve colonies voted for independence, while New York abstained. The Declaration of Independence, the actual document, was signed by only the President and Secretary of the Congress. Not until August 2nd did a final, elegant copy of the document receive the signatures of the remainder of Congress.