Show July Richard Henry Lee of VIrginia Virginia Virginia Vir VIr- ginia offered a resolution inthe in inthe inthe the Continental Congress in 1776 which was to have worldwide worldwide worldwide world world- wide repercussions for centuries centuries centuries cen cen- thereafter the resolution resolution resolution tion stating that these United Colonies are and of right ought to be free and inde inde- pendent THIS resolution was was adopted adopted adopt adopt- ed by The Congress on July 2nd 1776 Interestingly Congress adopted adopt adopt- ed another resolution on the explaining its reasons for declaring independence and justifying the action and this is the resolution which we now celebrate on the THIS resolution was drafted by Thomas Jefferson chairman chairman chairman chair chair- man of the committee and Benjamin Franklin John J o 0 h n Adams Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston A mass meeting in Philadelphia Philadelphia Philadelphia Phila Phila- delphia in Independence Square celebrated the decorations of July and 1776 heard them read by John Nixon GENERAL George Washington Washing Washing- ton on the included the declaration in general orders to the army stating The several brigades are areto areto to be drawn up this evening on their respective parades at six o'clock when the declaration declaration declaration dec dec- of Congress sh showing wing the grounds and reasons for this measure is to be read in an audible voice THE GENERAL hopes this important event will serve as fresh incentive to every officer officer officer of of- and soldier to act with fidelity and courage as knowing knowing knowing know know- ing now that the peace and safety of his country depends under God solely on the success success success suc suc- cess of our arms The declaration of the is now recognized by scholars as one of the humanitarian documents of all time |