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Interesting US History
A Website Devoted to Interesting Events in U.S. History

 

 
 

 

ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY

July 5, 1775

The Olive Branch Petition is Approved

On this day in 1775, the Second Continental Congress approved a letter that would be known as "The Olive Branch Petition". The letter was one last attempt by the American colonists to reconcile with Great Britain's King George III in hopes of avoiding war.

The Olive Branch Petition was first drafted by Thomas Jefferson but was heavily modified by John Dickson. A small group of delegates led by John Adams disagreed with this approach and believed war was the only way the colonists could achieve their goals. Ultimately, Adams would prove to be right.