🎨: Robert Edge Pine. “Congress Voting Independence” (1784–1788)
On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to declare that the 13 American colonies were independent states and no longer part of the British Empire.
The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.—I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by Solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be Solemnized with Pomp and Parade with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
John Adams in a letter to his wife, Abigail, July 3, 1776.
