In the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, on June 7, 1776, the Continental Congress listened to Richard Henry Lee (of Virginia) read his resolution which opened with "Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." Increasing tensions and distance between the British American colonies and Britain, as well as an increase in autonomy of the colonies, resulted in a large desire by the colonies to sever ties with Britain, and to become sovereign states of their own.
Congress appointed, before going on a three week recess, a five man committee to draft a statement of the colonies' independence. This "Committee of Five" consisted of John Adams (Mass), Roger Sherman (Conneticut), Benjermin Franklin (Pennsylvania), Robert Livingston (New York), and Thomas Jefferson (Virginia). The Committee pressed Thomas Jefferson to draft the document, who consented. Before submitting his draft to the Committee, he asked of Franklin and Adams to make corrections, of which they made a few.
On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Lee Resolution for independence. Immediately there after, they began the considering of the Declaration of Independence submitted by the Committee of Five. Congress made a few alterations and deletions to the document through the next day. On July 4th, Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence.