The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
June 4, 1776
In Philadelphia, the Second Continental Congress debates Richard Henry Lee’s resolution calling for the American colonies to declare independence from Great Britain.
As it shifts into high gear, the push for a total separation from King George III has gone from an ideal to reality. Most of the days in Philadelphia are spent debating the merits of independence, setting the stage for the creation of the United States.
Within a week (June 11th) the U.S. Congress forms a special five man committee, called the Independence Committee. This group, which includes Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston, drafts a statement of separation.
ON THIS DAY: WASHINGTON RETURNS TO NEW YORK, READY FOR BATTLE
On the same day, members of the Continental Congress received news that a massive British fleet was arriving in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.
The Revolutionary War has escalated, stretching from Canada to South Carolina.