John Nixon gave the first formal public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.
Nixon read the document at noon on July 8, 1776, in the yard of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. The reading followed the congressional approval and printing of the declaration earlier that month.
Formal public readings also occurred that day in Trenton, New Jersey, and Easton, Pennsylvania. These readings helped communicate the declaration to people who could not attend Congress or obtain a printed copy.
John Nixon is sometimes confused with John Hancock, whose name appears prominently on the engrossed document as president of Congress. Nixon was the public reader in Philadelphia; Hancock was a congressional leader and signer, not the person who delivered that reading.