The Declaration of Independence was signed primarily by Congress’s delegates on August 2, 1776.
Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4, but the formal engrossed parchment was prepared afterward. On July 19, Congress ordered the text engrossed with the title “The unanimous declaration of the thirteen United States of America.”
Most historians conclude that the main signing took place on August 2 at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. Several delegates were absent then, and some signatures were added later, so not every name was necessarily placed on the parchment that day.
The common image of all delegates signing on July 4 comes partly from the document’s date and later tradition. The adoption date remains the basis for Independence Day and the 2026 semiquincentennial, while August 2 marks the principal signing occasion.