Happy 4th of July!

On July 1st, 1776, the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and took a vote. Nine out of the thirteen delegations (one for each colony) voted for declaring independence, while Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted against, Delaware split with one delegate on each side, and New York could not vote. But delegates wanted the vote to be unanimous, and not a divided. So they postponed it.

On July 2nd, there was another vote by Congress. Two Pennsylvania delegates abstained and the colony turned out in favor of declaring independence, South Carolina switched, and aside from New York (which still could not vote), the decision came out 12 colonies in favor.

On July 4th, 1776, Congress formally adopted the United States Declaration of Independence, written by the Committee of Five, which consisted of Thomas Jefferson (who wrote the first draft), John Adams, Robert R. Livingstone, Benjamin Franklin, and Roger Sherman.

To read the Declaration of Independence, go HERE.

(SOURCE)

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Sources:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_history.html
http://www.ushistory.org/DECLARATION/timeline.htm
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_timeline.html
http://www.history.com/topics/declaration-of-independence
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/congress-votes-for-independence
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_Independence#Draft_and_adoption

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Have a great holiday, everyone!


-----The Golden Eagle