John Dunlap produced the first widely distributed broadside edition of the Declaration of Independence.
Dunlap was the official printer to the Continental Congress. After Congress approved the declaration’s wording on July 4, 1776, a copy was sent to his Philadelphia print shop. He worked through the night to produce the first printed edition, now known as the Dunlap broadside.
Approximately 200 copies were printed for distribution to colonial governments, military leaders, and other officials. Only a limited number of these original broadsides are known to survive. They were printed before the famous engrossed parchment was completed and signed by most delegates.
The broadside did not contain the signatures of the 56 delegates. John Hancock’s name appeared as president of Congress, and Charles Thomson’s name appeared as secretary. The fully signed parchment was prepared later, with most delegates signing on August 2, 1776.