Timeline

1776

June 7

    • There was a Congress meeting in Philadelphia to declare independence.

June 11

    • Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston wanted to declare Independence.

June 12-27

    • Thomas Jefferson drafts a declaration.

June 28

    • The Declaration of Independence is read in Congress.

July 1-4

    • Congress debates and revises the Declaration of Independence.

July 2

    • Congress declares independence as the British fleet and army arrive at New York.

July 4

    • Congress finally adopted the Declaration of Independence and had made 24 copies.

July 6

    • Pennsylvania Evening Post of July 6 prints the first newspaper rendition of the Declaration of Independence.

July 8

    • The first public reading of the Declaration is in Philadelphia.

July 9

    • Washington orders that the Declaration of Independence be read before the American army in New York

July 19

    • Congress orders the Declaration of Independence engrossed (officially inscribed) and signed by members.

1777

January 18

    • Congress made more copies of the Declaration in Baltimore