Today in History: The Call for Independence

Today in History–April 12–the Library of Congress features the first call for American independence, made by North Carolina on this day in 1776. Referred to as the “Halifax Resolves“, the document listed grievances against Great Britain and encouraged the Continental Congress to push for sovereignty. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more related resources.

Declaration of Independence texts

• Declaration of Independence from the Journals of the Continental Congress
• Thomas Jefferson’s rough draft of the Declaration of Independence
• Thomas Jefferson’s copy of the Declaration of Independence as amended by Congress
• Declaration of Independence broadside
• Declaration of Independence United States Statutes at Large
• Declaration of Independence with names of signers
• Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Debates and Proceedings on Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation
• John C. Payne’s copy of Thomas Jefferson notes on debates of the Continental Congress
• George Washington’s copy of the Declaration of Independence
• George Washington General Orders for July 9, 1776 announcing the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Army
• Jefferson’s Autobiography Draft, including recollections of the period up to and after the signing of the Declaration of Independence

1776 references to the Declaration of Independence from the Journals of the Continental Congress

• June 7 – Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution urging Congress to declare independence from Great Britain.
• June 11 – Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston were appointed to a committee to draft a declaration of independence.
• June 28 – A fair copy of the committee draft of the Declaration of Independence was read in Congress.
• July 1-4 – Congress debated and revised the Declaration of Independence.
• July 2 – Congress declared independence by adopting the Lee Resolution.
• July 4 – Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.
• July 4 – Congress ordered that the Declaration of Independence be printed (Dunlap Broadsides).
• July 19 – Congress ordered the Declaration of Independence engrossed (officially inscribed) and signed by members.
• August 2 – The engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence was signed by most of the delegates. Elbridge Gerry, Oliver Wolcott, Lewis Morris, Thomas McKean, and Matthew Thornton all signed on a later date.

Online exhibitions

• American Treasures of the Library of Congress – Declaration of Independence
• Declaring Independence: Drafting the Documents
• Creating the Declaration of Independence

Teaching resources

• Jefferson’s Rough Draft of the Declaration lesson
• The Declaration of Independence: Created Equal?
• The Declaration, Her Declaration, Your Declaration lesson
• Guided Primary Source Analysis: Signing the declaration of their independence
• Making a Declaration: Beginning
• Making a Declaration: Intermediate
• Making a Declaration: Advanced
• Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention teaching resources

More resources

• Featured Image: Declaration of Independence
• America’s Library: Declaration of Independence
• Publishing the Declaration of Independence (streaming webcast)
• Charters of Freedom, Declaration of Independence National Archives and Records Administration
• Today in History: Independence Day
• North Carolina state primary source collections
• Thomas Jefferson primary source collections & teaching resources