Independence Day

The Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776.

On July 3, 1776, the British army evacuated Boston, leaving no British troops anywhere in the thirteen colonies of the Continental Congress.

The Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

The official signing ceremony was not held until August, 1776.

So when British troops returned to the thirteen colonies, they were arguably invading an independent, sovereign nation.