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