On July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Penn., the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. That declaration came 442 days after the first volleys of the American Revolution were fired at Lexington and Concord, Mass. Thomas Jefferson of Virginia was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to approve a Virginia motion calling for separation from Britain. Two days later, on July 4, the declaration formally was adopted with a few minor revisions by 12 of the 13 colonial states – New York did not approve the declaration until July 19. On Aug. 2, 1776 ...