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Declaration of Independence Summary Nearly 250 years since it was signed, the Declaration of Independence remains one of the most seminal political documents ever written. The Declaration consists of three major parts. The preamble employs the enlightened reasoning of Locke, Rousseau, and Thomas Paine, to establish a philosophical justification for a split with Great Britain. The main body He described the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as "these fragile objects which bear so great a weight of meaning to our people." The story of the Declaration of Independence as a document can only be a part of the larger history, a history still unfolding, a "weight of meaning" constantly, challenged, strengthened, and redefined. The most frequent historical criticism of this painting is that it depicts a scene that never took place. To understand, we need to look at the historical background. The chronology of the Declaration of Independence is that the initial resolution that the “Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States” (still preserved in the handwriting of R. H. Lee) was introduced On August 2, 1776, members of the Second Continental Congress, including John Hancock, the President of the Congress, began signing the engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. John Hancock (1737-1793) • State: Massachusetts Hancock, a Massachusetts native who studied business at Harvard College, was the first man to sign the Declaration of Independence. Key Figures: The Architects of Independence The Declaration of Independence was the result of collaboration among many brilliant minds. Key figures such as Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and others played crucial roles in drafting and refining the document. The Legacy of the Declaration of Independence in Modern America The Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776, is more than just a historical document; it is the cornerstone of American identity and values. Its legacy continues to resonate in modern America, shaping the nation’s political, social, and cultural landscape. From the DAR Americana Collection Among the wide variety of holdings in the DAR Americana Collection is a collection of all of the signatures of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. This exhibit includes a biography, signature, and portrait for each of the 56 signers. John Penn (1740-1788) —John Penn was one of sixteen signers of the Declaration of Independence who also signed the Articles of Confederation. He was a member of the Continental Congress from 1775-77; 1779-80 and a member of the Board of War in 1780 which shared responsibility for military affairs with the governor. The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence occurred primarily on August 2, 1776, at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, later to become known as Independence Hall. Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.) The spelling and punctuation reflects the original. Only a handful signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution; they include: Benjamin Franklin, George Read, Roger Sherman, Robert Morris, George Clymer, and James Wilson. The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It was engrossed on parchment and on August 2, 1776, delegates began signing it. When was Declaration of Independence Signed? Know History, Dates, and Key Figures When was Declaration of Independence signed? While adopted on July 4, 1776, the engrossed Declaration of Key figures involved in the signing of the Declaration of Independence include Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. These Founding Fathers played pivotal roles in drafting and promoting the document, using their influence to garner support from other colonists and secure the nation's independence. At 33, he agreed to draft the Declaration of Independence upon John Adams’s insistence that Jefferson was more eloquent and well-liked than him. Signers of the Declaration of Independence Download this Information in PDF Format The 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence risked their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for the cause of American liberty. They ranged in age from 26 to 70, came from diverse backgrounds, and would pay varying prices for their courage. Most historians have concluded that it was signed on August 2, 1776, nearly a month after its adoption, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed. The Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, with 12 of the 13 colonies voting in favor and New York abstaining. 56 delegates to the Continental Congress signed the engrossed Declaration of Independence. Most of the signers voted in favor of independence on July 2nd. Some delegates who voted for independence did not sign the Declaration, and some signers were not delegates to Congress at the time of the vote.
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