Who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Question: Who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Answer:
The Declaration of Independence, one of the most significant documents in American history, was signed by 56 delegates to the Continental Congress. These brave individuals, representing the 13 American colonies, put their names to the declaration on August 2, 1776, though the document itself is dated July 4, 1776. Among the most famous signatories were John Hancock, whose large and flamboyant signature has become synonymous with the act of signing one’s name, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams.
The signers came from various backgrounds and professions, including lawyers, merchants, plantation owners, and physicians. Some notable names include Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration, Samuel Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Morris.
These men, by signing the document, were committing an act of treason against the British Crown and risking their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for the cause of independence.
While all 56 signers are considered Founding Fathers of the United States, some have gained more recognition than others throughout history.
Lesser-known signatories include Button Gwinnett of Georgia, whose rare signature has become highly valued by collectors, and Caesar Rodney of Delaware, who rode 80 miles through a thunderstorm to cast the deciding vote for independence in his state’s delegation.
The courage and conviction of these men, immortalized through their signatures on the Declaration of Independence, laid the foundation for the birth of a new nation.
