Jonah Patel
The United States Declaration of Independence, signed on August 2, 1776, marked a pivotal moment in the nation's history, asserting its independence from Great Britain. 56 delegates eventually signed the document, including John Hancock, the President of the Congress, whose signature stands out for its boldness. Among these signers, a notable few also left their mark on another crucial document—the United States Constitution. George Read, Roger Sherman, George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, James Wilson, and George Read are known to have signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, with Franklin being the oldest signer of both at 70 and 81 years old, respectively. These individuals played a dual role in shaping the foundations of American governance, first by declaring independence and then by helping to frame the nation's supreme law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of signers of the Declaration of Independence | 56 |
| Number of signers of the Declaration of Independence who also signed the US Constitution | 6 |
| Names of signers of both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution | Roger Sherman, George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, James Wilson, and George Read |
| Oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence | Benjamin Franklin (70 years old) |
| Oldest signer of the Constitution | Benjamin Franklin (81 years old) |
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What You'll Learn
- John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence
- Signatures of 56 delegates are affixed to the Declaration of Independence
- Six signers of the Declaration also signed the US Constitution
- The Declaration was signed on August 2, 1776
- The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4, 1776
John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence
John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence. Hancock was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, in 1737 and orphaned as a child. He was adopted by a wealthy merchant uncle, also called Thomas Hancock, and went on to attend Harvard College, graduating at the age of 17. After graduating, Hancock apprenticed to his uncle as a clerk and, in 1760, was sent on a business mission to England, where he witnessed the coronation of George III.
Hancock inherited his uncle's fortune in 1763, which made him one of the wealthiest men in New England. Despite his wealth and social power, Hancock became heavily involved in revolutionary politics, and his sentiments were clearly for independence from Great Britain. He was a member of the Stamp Act Congress and, in 1768, his sloop Liberty was impounded by customs officials at Boston Harbor on a charge of running contraband goods. This incident caused a riot, with a group of private citizens storming the customs post, burning the government boat, and beating the officers.
Hancock was a leading figure during the Revolutionary War and played an instrumental role in the American Revolution. He was the President of the Congress when he signed the engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776, with a bold signature. He signed the document in an entirely blank space, and it is reported that he said, "There, I guess King George will be able to read that!", referring to the large size of his signature. Hancock's signature has become synonymous with patriotism and defiance in the face of tyranny.
In total, 56 delegates eventually signed the Declaration of Independence, and Hancock was one of six signers who also signed the United States Constitution.
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Signatures of 56 delegates are affixed to the Declaration of Independence
The United States Declaration of Independence, a statement of independence for the colonies, was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 delegates, though the exact date each person signed is uncertain. The majority of delegates signed on August 2, 1776, but signatures continued to be added through the fall of 1776 and perhaps as late as 1781. The signatures were arranged by states from northernmost New Hampshire to southernmost Georgia.
The Declaration was printed by John Dunlap on July 4, 1776, and an engrossed copy was made on August 2, 1776. John Hancock, the President of the Congress, was the first to sign the engrossed copy, with a bold signature. The other 55 delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence included Josiah Bartlett, George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, and George Read. Six of these delegates also signed the United States Constitution.
The Declaration of Independence was widely transmitted and translated, and it helped provide historical and legal clarity about the Constitution and other laws. However, it was also met with opposition, as British Tories denounced the signers for not applying the same principles of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" to African Americans.
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Six signers of the Declaration also signed the US Constitution
The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 people, while 39 signed the US Constitution. Interestingly, some of the most famous names in American history, such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and George Washington, did not sign both documents. However, six men signed both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. These six men were:
- George Read: An attorney and respected politician from New Castle, Delaware. He served as Attorney General under the British crown before opposing the Stamp Act in 1765. He was also one of the delegates who threatened to walk out when the Constitution failed to include provisions for smaller states.
- George Clymer: A staunch patriot and one of the first prominent Americans to support independence. He led a committee that forced the resignation of the Philadelphia tea consignees appointed by England in 1773. Clymer was elected to the Second Continental Congress in 1776 and worked hard on committees related to finance, commerce, and military affairs.
- Richard Stockton: A signer of the Declaration of Independence who studied law under. He served in various legal positions during the American Revolution, including Attorney General for New Jersey.
- John Dickinson: He began his political career in Pennsylvania and practiced law before serving in the Pennsylvania assembly. He wrote several documents opposing the Stamp Act and unjust taxation, although he resented the crown and hoped for a peaceful resolution.
- Thomas McKean: One of the late signers of the Declaration of Independence. He served in various political roles and was known for his strong support for independence.
- William Livingston: He was serving as the first governor of New Jersey when he was elected to the Constitutional Convention. His gubernatorial duties delayed his arrival and caused him to miss several sessions.
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The Declaration was signed on August 2, 1776
The United States Declaration of Independence, which took effect from July 4, 1776, was signed on August 2, 1776. The engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence was signed by John Hancock, the President of Congress, with a bold signature on August 2, 1776. The rest of the 56 delegates' signatures were arranged by states from northernmost New Hampshire to southernmost Georgia. The delegates signed the Declaration of Independence following the custom of the time, beginning at the right.
The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 delegates, although not all were present on August 2, 1776. The late signers were Elbridge Gerry, Oliver Wolcott, Lewis Morris, Thomas McKean, and Matthew Thornton. Some delegates, including Robert R. Livingston of New York, a member of the drafting committee, never signed the Declaration. The majority of the delegates signed the Declaration on August 2, 1776, but signing continued through the fall of 1776 and perhaps as late as 1781, as delegates returned to or arrived at Congress. The Declaration of Independence was signed in the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall).
The Declaration of Independence was printed by John Dunlap on July 4, 1776, and the Continental Congress adopted it on the same day. The engrossed copy was signed on August 2, 1776, and it was most likely engrossed by Timothy Matlack. The Declaration of Independence was ordered to be engrossed on parchment on July 19, 1776, and only one sheet of parchment was needed for it. The signatures on the Declaration of Independence are arranged with the President, John Hancock, at the top, and the rest of the signatures in state order from north to south, from right to left.
The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 delegates, and some of the notable signers include Josiah Bartlett, John Hancock, John Witherspoon, George Read, Roger Sherman, George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, and James Wilson. Benjamin Franklin, at 70 years old, was the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence. Six signers of the Declaration of Independence also signed the United States Constitution, and they were Roger Sherman, George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, James Wilson, and George Read.
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The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4, 1776
The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, marking a pivotal moment in American history. This declaration proclaimed the independence of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain and laid the foundation for the establishment of the United States of America.
The process of creating the Declaration of Independence began earlier that year, with the appointment of a committee to draft the document. This committee included prominent figures such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Robert R. Livingston. On July 4th, the Continental Congress, led by John Hancock, the President of the Congress, officially adopted the Declaration and signed it, affirming their commitment to independence.
The Declaration of Independence was then engrossed on parchment, a process of transcribing the document onto a permanent material. This task was undertaken by Timothy Matlack and completed by August 2, 1776. On this day, the delegates began signing the engrossed copy, with John Hancock signing first and notably, with a bold signature. The arrangement of the signatures followed custom, with the President's signature at the top, followed by the rest of the signatures in state order from north to south.
While 56 delegates eventually signed the Declaration, it's important to note that not all of them signed on August 2nd. Some were late signers, and others never signed the document, including Robert R. Livingston, a member of the drafting committee. The signing of the Declaration continued through the fall of 1776 and possibly as late as 1781, accommodating delegates who returned to or arrived at Congress.
The adoption and signing of the Declaration of Independence sent a clear message of independence to Great Britain and the world. It sparked a revolution and inspired similar movements for independence and freedom around the globe. The document itself, with its assertion of unalienable rights and self-evident truths, has become a enduring symbol of liberty and democracy.
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