ABSTRACT
At this point something extraordinary took place. Congress, having solemnly proclaimed independence on July 2, 1776, proceeded two days later, on July 4, to vote a Declaration of Independence. I call it extraordinary because in those two days America, without even perhaps being fully aware of it, moved from war into revolution. The proclamation of independence made official the state of war with England. The independence it proclaimed would be achieved by a treaty with England in 1783, after final victory.
