Fifty-six delegates signed the engrossed Declaration of Independence, whose anniversary America250 commemorates.
The engrossed copy is the carefully handwritten parchment version displayed today at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. It carries the names of delegates representing the Thirteen Colonies, including prominent figures such as John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams.
Although the document bears the date July 4, 1776, most delegates signed the parchment copy on August 2. Additional signatures were added later by delegates who were absent or had not yet joined Congress. This is why the popular image of every signer gathering on July 4 is historically oversimplified.
The number 56 refers to signers, not the total membership of Congress or the number of colonies. The Declaration was approved by Congress before the parchment signing ceremony was substantially completed.