In the summer of 1776, the Second Continental Congress ... After some discussion, the Committee of Five was established to produce a draft of what would become the Declaration of Independence.

On July 4, 1776, the 13 colonies claimed their independence ... although the resolution was not followed up on immediately. A committee of five was appointed to draft the declaration, and ...

On June 11, 1776, the Second Continental Congress assigned five delegates to write the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. The Committee included Thomas Jefferson from Virginia ...