Was the Declaration of Independence signed on July 4, 1776, granting the United States independence from England?

Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented his resolution of independence to the Continental Congress in June of 1776. Congress voted to adopt Lee’s resolution on July 2. In a letter to his wife Abigail, John Adams asserted, “The second day of July…. will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.” Not quite…

On July 4, Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence was accepted by Congress. The Declaration of Independence basically outlined the reasons for Congress’ actions two days prior. The Declaration was in fact not even signed on the fourth of July, as commonly believed, but on August 2.

Our independence declaration did not yet grant us independence or end the war with England, which continued on for another seven years. On September 3, 1783, U.S. leaders and King George III signed the Definitive Treaty of Peace, and the U.S. finally broke free of Britain’s rule.