John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence, a landmark act remembered during America250.
Hancock was president of the Second Continental Congress when the Declaration was adopted. His position gave him a prominent place on the engrossed parchment, and he signed first on August 2, 1776. His large, distinctive signature later became famous as a synonym for signing one’s name.
Hancock’s signature is often treated as if it were the only one added on July 4. In fact, the formal signing of the engrossed parchment began on August 2, with additional delegates signing later. The Declaration ultimately carried 56 signatures.
Thomas Jefferson drafted most of the document, Benjamin Franklin helped revise it, and George Washington did not sign it because he was serving as commander in chief of the Continental Army. None of those facts changes Hancock’s status as the first signer.