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On July 4, the Congress formally endorses Jefferson's Declaration, with copies to be sent to all of the colonies. On July 2, twelve of thirteen colonial delegations (New York abstains) vote in support of Lee's resolution for independence. Just seventeen days later, June 28, Jefferson's Declaration of Independence is ready and is presented to the Congress, with changes made by Adams and Franklin. Jefferson is chosen by the committee to prepare the first draft of the declaration, which he completes in one day. Committee members are Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Livingston and Roger Sherman. On June 11, Congress appoints a committee to draft a declaration of independence.

Congress decides to postpone its decision on this until July. Richard Henry Lee, a Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress, presents a formal resolution calling for America to declare its independence from Britain. The British succeed in taking the hill, but at a loss of half their force, over a thousand casualties, with the Americans losing about 400, including important colonial leader, General Joseph Warren. A third attack, however, succeeds as the Americans run out of ammunition and are left only with bayonets and stones to defend themselves. The British then regroup and attack 30 minutes later with the same result. The Americans are ordered not to fire until they can see "the whites of their eyes." As the British get within 15 paces, the Americans let loose a deadly volley of musket fire and halt the British advance. American troops are dug in along the high ground of Breed's Hill (the actual location) and are attacked by a frontal assault of over 2000 British soldiers who storm up the hill. The first major fight between British and American troops occurs at Boston in the Battle of Bunker Hill. All the while facing possible invasion of England itself by the French. In addition to the war in America, the British will have to fight in the Mediterranean, Africa, India, the West Indies, and on the high seas. The following year, Britain will declare war on the Dutch who have been engaging in profitable trade with the French and Americans. Spain will enter in 1779 as an ally of France. After British vessels fire on French ships, the two nations declare war.

The American struggle for independence is thus enlarged and will soon become a world war. Both countries pledge to fight until American independence is won, with neither country concluding any truce with Britain without the other's consent, and guarantee each other's possessions in America against all other powers. France now officially recognizes the United States and will soon become the major supplier of military supplies to Washington's army. American and French representatives sign two treaties in Paris: a Treaty of Amity and Commerce and a Treaty of Alliance.