The engrossed United States Declaration of Independence was signed primarily on August 2, 1776.
Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4, but the signing of the parchment document occurred later. Most historians identify August 2 as the day when the majority of the delegates signed the engrossed copy at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia.
The distinction matters because July 4 became the celebrated anniversary date, while August 2 is associated with the physical signing ceremony. Some delegates signed later, and the timing of every individual signature is not equally certain.
Fifty-six delegates ultimately signed the document. John Hancock, president of Congress, placed the best-known signature on the parchment. The signing date is therefore a useful America250 fact because it separates adoption, public celebration, and formal subscription to the document.