On the Path to the Declaration of Independence

flowchart TD
  A[May 1775: Second Continental Congress meets] --> B[Congress takes on national-government responsibilities]
  B --> C[June 1775: Continental Army established]
  C --> D[June 1775: Continental currency established]
  D --> E[July 1775: Post office for the United Colonies created]
  E --> F[August 1775: Royal proclamation declares rebellion]
  F --> G[Late 1775: American Prohibitory Act treats the colonies as foreign]
  G --> H[May 1776: King George III hires German mercenaries]
  H --> I[March 1776: Privateering Resolution passed]
  I --> J[April 6 1776: American ports opened to other nations]
  J --> K[May 10 1776: Resolution for the Formation of Local Governments]
  K --> L[January to May 1776: Common Sense and colonial support for independence spread]
  L --> M[May 15 1776: Virginia instructs its delegates to propose independence]
  M --> N[June 7 1776: Richard Henry Lee presents the Lee Resolution]
  N --> O[June 11 1776: Congress postpones consideration]
  O --> P[Congress recesses for three weeks]
  P --> Q[Committee of Five appointed to draft a statement]
  Q --> R[Thomas Jefferson drafts the Declaration]
  R --> S[Franklin and Adams review and suggest corrections]
  S --> T[Jefferson prepares a fair copy and reports to the committee]
  T --> U[July 1 1776: Congress reconvenes]
  U --> V[July 2 1776: Lee Resolution adopted by 12 colonies]
  V --> W[Congress begins to consider the Declaration]
  W --> X[July 3 to July 4: revisions continue]
  X --> Y[July 4 1776: Declaration officially adopted]