The Articles of Confederation to the Constitution. By candicewoods Jun 7, 1776 Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution before the Continental Congress declaring the colonies independent. Jun 11, 1776 The Founding Fathers appoint a commitee together to prepare a draft for the Declaration of Independence. Nov 15, 1777 The Second Continental Congress approved them for ratification by the individual states Mar 1, 1781 The final ratification. Mar 4, 1789 The Articles were replaced by the U.S. Constitution.