On This Day: Congress moves to declare independence as the British bear down on Charleston
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.
TL;DR
- The Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia is debating Richard Henry Lee’s resolution for independence.
- A special five-man committee, including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston, was formed to draft a statement of separation.
- News arrived that a massive British fleet was approaching Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.