Fifty-six delegates’ signatures appear on the United States Declaration of Independence commemorated by America250.
The signers were delegates to the Second Continental Congress representing the thirteen colonies that became the United States. John Hancock, the Congress president, signed prominently, while the other names are grouped by state or colony in the engrossed document.
The famous parchment was not necessarily signed in one dramatic ceremony on July 4. Most historians conclude that the main signing occurred on August 2, 1776, with some delegates signing later. The Declaration itself was adopted on July 4, which is why America250 centers on that date.
The number 56 refers to the signatures on the document, not the number of people who drafted it or the number of delegates present at every stage. The drafting committee had five members, while the completed Declaration bears 56 signatures.