Fifty-six delegates signed the Declaration of Independence, the founding document honored by America250.
The signers represented the Thirteen Colonies and were delegates to the Second Continental Congress. Their names appear grouped by state on the engrossed parchment copy, with John Hancock’s name presented prominently as president of Congress.
The Declaration was adopted on July 4, 1776, but the famous parchment was signed primarily on August 2. Some delegates signed later, and historical accounts differ on the exact timing of every signature.
The 56 signers included well-known figures such as Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Hancock, and Charles Carroll of Carrollton. Signing the document was legally dangerous because Britain treated the declaration of independence as treason.