Jefferson's Journey to Independence

Thomas Jefferson is born a British subject in the colony of Virginia.

Jefferson attends the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg. His exposure there to Enlightenment thinking and the theory of natural rights later form the basis to justify declaring independence from Great Britain.

Elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses, Jefferson gains a reputation as a critic of British Colonial policy. Drafts a resolution calling for a "Day of Fasting and Prayer" in opposition to the Intolerable Acts of British Parliament.

Jefferson drafts "A Summary View of the Rights of British America," intended as guidance to Virginia's delegates to the first Continental Congress and advancing the principles of equality and self-government more fully realized in the Declaration of Independence. Although Jefferson did not intend his Summary View to be printed, his friends had his document published in pamphlet form and its circulation in American and Britain securing his reputation as a skilled spokesman for the revolutionary cause.

Jefferson is elected to the Second Continental Congress. With John Dickinson, co-authors "The Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms," justifying military action against Great Britain to defend the rights of the thirteen colonies.

Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee puts forward a resolution that "all political connection is, and ought to be, dissolved" between Great Britain and the Colonies. Congress then nominates a drafting committee to compose a declaration of independence. Named the "Committee of Five," it included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman. Jefferson is chosen to draft the document.

A fair copy of the committee draft of the Declaration of Independence is read in Congress. Congress debates and revises the Declaration of Independence. (Pictured: Jefferson's "rough Draught" of the Declaration)

The Continental Congress votes for independence as Britain's fleet and army arrive at New York.

Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence. Only John Hancock. President 0f the Continental Congress, and Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Congress, sign the original document.

John Dunlap prints the Declaration of Independence throughout the evening of July 4th and through the day on July 5th. These prints, now called "Dunlap Broadsides," are the first versions of the Declaration seen by citizens of the new nation outside of the Continental Congress. Only 26 copies are known to exist today.

General George Washington orders the Declaration of Independence read before the Continental Army in New York -- from his personal copy of the "Dunlap Broadside."

Congress orders the Declaration of Independence engrossed (officially inscribed) and signed by members.

Delegates to the Second Continental Congress begin signing the engrossed copy of the Declaration.

The Dunlap Broadsides sent to King George III and Parliament arrive in Britain. Translated texts of the Declaration of Independence soon appear in print throughout Europe and eventually around the globe.

Jefferson returns to Virginia and serves in the newly created House of Delegates where he authors the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom.

Jefferson serves two terms as the second Governor of Virginia, no longer a British Colony, but an independent, self-governing state of the United States.