The Drafting of Declaration of Independence - American History Program with Deirdre O'Sullivan 

The Drafting of Declaration of Independence - History Program with Deirdre O'Sullivan.
In April 1775, the first battle of the American Revolutionary War takes place in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. In the spring of 1776, fifty-six delegates from thirteen colonies meet in Philadelphia as part of the Second Continental Congress. On June 11, 1776, the Second Continental Congress creates the Committee of Five: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman to draft the official resolution of independence. The Committee of Five will select Thomas Jefferson to write the first draft. What he will put down on paper will shape the new nation.
This presentation will discuss the following:
- The French and Indian War (1764-1763) will lead to the British Parliament to raise taxes on the Colonies to pay for the War which causes the Colonists to protest.
- On April 18, 1775, the British was sent to destroy Colonial militia armaments in Concord, Massachusetts; it fails to do so.
- In May 1775, the Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia and sends another petition to the British King George III; this too is rejected.
- In May 1776, with war raging around New York City, Richard Henry Lee, Delegate from Virginia will arrive in Philadelphia with a Resolution to absolve all allegiance to the Crown and Parliament of Great Britain.
- On June 11, 1776, the Committee of Five is set to draft the official Resolution. Thomas Jefferson will write the first draft.
- On June 28, the Committee presents the draft to all of the Delegates. They are stunned.
- On July 2, each colony casts a single vote. The vote was 12 colonies in favor with one absenting (New York).
- On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is signed.
Program Host: Deirdre O’Sullivan is a well-known member of the non-profit community organization Washington DC History & Culture. For the last several years, she has conducted talks on 9/11 at the Pentagon and the Battle of Gettysburg (US Civil War), the Great War, the Battle of Midway (WWII) and the Establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. She has a great interest in History and enjoys sharing her knowledge.