The Forgotten Architect of American Independence | Roanoke News

Few know his name, but Richard Henry Lee was the man who first proposed American independence in Congress—years before Jefferson penned the Declaration. A Virginia powerhouse with ties to England and land, Lee was a bold voice in colonial politics, challenging corruption and even speaking out against slavery, despite his own contradictions. On June 7, 1776, he stood up and made the motion that would ignite revolution. Though he was too ill to witness the final vote, his resolution laid the groundwork for everything that followed. While Jefferson gets the glory, Lee’s quiet courage and political grit helped birth a nation—and his legacy deserves to be remembered. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/14f661076fd13e53