The Declaration of Independence was signed primarily on August 2, 1776, at the Pennsylvania State House.
The Pennsylvania State House is now known as Independence Hall. Although Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4, the large engrossed parchment was prepared afterward, and most delegates signed it nearly a month later. Some delegates who were absent on August 2 added their signatures later.
The document bears 56 signatures representing the thirteen states. John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, signed prominently. The signers included future presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, as well as Benjamin Franklin, who was the oldest signer at age 70. Edward Rutledge was the youngest at age 26.
The familiar painting by John Trumbull depicts the Committee of Five presenting a draft to Congress, not the actual signing ceremony. Another enduring misconception is that every signature was placed on July 4. Historians generally identify August 2 as the primary signing date.