| Adopted this day by the Second Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence called for the separation of 13 North American colonies from Great Britain, proclaiming “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States.” A committee consisting of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston had been chosen on June 11 to prepare a statement justifying the decision to assert independence. The anniversary of the ... |