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Who signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776?
The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 congressional delegates. However, contrary to popular belief, not all signatures were made on July 4th.
The Declaration of Independence was the formal announcement of the separation of the colonies from Great Britain. New York was the only colony to abstain from the vote of Independence. In fact, not until August of 1776, did the Declaration of Independence have all 56 signatures.
Who wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence?
The Declaration was officially written by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert. R. Livingston. Although the main author of the Declaration was Thomas Jefferson, as it’s been said that he was the best writer.
An excerpt from the Declaration of Independence from US National Archives:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,—That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
5 facts about the Declaration of Independence that you might not know
Who signed the declaration?
Fifty-six congressional delegates signed the Declaration of Independence, though not all signed it on July 4th, 1776 as commonly believed. Forty-five delegates were able to sign the declaration on the 4th of July.
Where is the Declaration of Independence today?
Since 1952, the Declaration of Independence has been in the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights also reside in the museum.