Halifax Resolves: First Colony Votes for Independence
The Fourth North Carolina Provincial Congress passed the Halifax Resolves on April 12, 1776, becoming the first colonial government to explicitly authorize its Continental Congress delegates to vote for independence from Britain. The resolution stated that delegates were "empowered to concur with the delegates of the other Colonies in declaring Independency." This was politically explosive: it broke the tacit agreement among colonies to seek reconciliation with the Crown. The Halifax Resolves gave political cover to other hesitant colonial legislatures. Virginia followed with its own independence instructions on May 15, and Richard Henry Lee introduced the resolution for independence on June 7. North Carolina commemorates the date on its state flag.
April 12, 1776
250 years ago
Key Figures & Places
Kingdom of Great Britain
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American Revolution
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Halifax Resolves
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North Carolina Provincial Congress
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Second Continental Congress
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American Revolution
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Halifax Resolves
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North Carolina Provincial Congress
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Second Continental Congress
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Royal Navy
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George Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney
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Battle of the Saintes
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Dominica
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