It was July 4th of 1776 when Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. It’s been quite some time since then but every year we all celebrate the independence of our nation. How did it all begin? Why did it all begin? Well, “taxation without representation” started a rebellion that would last 10 years. Richard Henry Lee stated the famous words that, “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.” Basically, the colonies wanted independence from the taxed imposed by Great Britain. This was the beginning of the drafting of the United States Constitution. July 1st was technically the date that Thomas Jefferson completed the document and 12 of 13 colonies voted. 9 in favor, 2 against (PA & SC), Delaware was undecided and New York abstained. Therefore, the Declaration of Independence was officially voted in on July 2nd 1776. However, the date that Second Continental Congress voted independence from Great Britain was July 4th to finalize it for approval.