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On June 7, 1776, in the Second Continental Congress, Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution proposing independence for the American colonies and stating “that these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states.” The Lee Resolution contained three parts: a declaration of independence, a call to form foreign alliances, and “a plan for confederation.”
On July 2, 1776, the Congress adopted the first part of Lee’s Resolution (the declaration), and its words are echoed in the Declaration of Independence.
As the National Archives Museum prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, we will debut a new museum experience. The American Story, opening October 23, 2025, will give insight to several important moments throughout our nation’s history.
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