On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved a now well known document declaring independence from the British Crown. While we celebrate our independence this day to commemorate that act, it's easy to forget that July 4, 1776 was only words on a piece of paper. General Conrwallis didn't surrender until October 19, 1781. The Revolutionary War itself started in April of 1775 well before the Declaration of Independence was even drafted. So why celebrate the date a piece of paper was ...