Not every man who had been present on July 4 signed the declaration on August 2. Signing the Declaration On August 2, 1776, Congress members signed the declaration inside the Pennsylvania State House. On July 19, Congress ordered an official copy of the declaration for the delegates to sign. A few days later, the news reached Philadelphia that the colonies were fully united upon independence. It wasn't until July 9 that New York finally joined the other colonies. Over the next few weeks it was reprinted in newspapers up and down the Atlantic seaboard. It was read aloud in front of the statehouse in Philadelphia on July 8. It is believed that about 200 copies were published on July 5. That evening, the complete text of "a Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America" was ordered to be printed. On July 4, Congress approved the final draft. They made further edits to the writing, yet left in Jefferson's passionate opening paragraphs. Further Edits and First Printing Fueled by growing threats of battle with the British, Congress began debating the declaration. After this historic decision, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, predicting that future Americans would celebrate independence July 2. When the vote was called on July 2, the written statement passed by a vote of 12 to zero, with New York abstaining. South Carolina shifted its position in favor, and the Pennsylvania opponents chose to stay away. On July 2, Caesar Rodney rode in to Philadelphia from Delaware, bringing a tie-breaking vote in favor of independence. Overnight, however, the situation changed. The New York delegates were unable to vote, since they were instructed to cooperate with the king. Two Delaware delegates were stuck about their decision. Delegates from South Carolina and Pennsylvania were opposed. Nine colonies were prepared to vote in favor. Congress debated the declaration on July 1. After incorporating suggestions by Adams and Franklin, the committee submitted its draft declaration to the Congress on June 28. The fifth member, Thomas Jefferson, was chosen to be the document's principal drafter. Livingston and Roger Sherman were also appointed. John Adams and Benjamin Franklin were on the committee. It appointed a five-member committee to draft a public statement that would further explain the reasons for declaring independence should Congress decide to do so. Such a strong action demanded careful deliberation. On June 11, Congress organized a process to clarify this resolution. Other town and colonial groups were issuing similar pleas. Lastly, it stated that all political connection to Britain should be dissolved.
#Signing of the declaration of independence free#
It also declared that colonies should be free from allegiance to the British Crown. This resolution stated that the colonies had the right to be independent states. On June 7, 1776, a Virginia lawmaker named Richard Henry Lee proposed a resolution in Congress. Congress swiftly formed a Continental Army under the command of George Washington. Support was steadily growing throughout the colonies for independence from Great Britain. In August of 1775, the King declared the colonies to be in open rebellion. The British king had ignored a written complaint sent by Congress earlier that stated the colonists' frustrations. Weeks earlier, hostilities had broken out between the British troops and colonial soldiers in Massachusetts. Beginning Drafts of the Declaration In May of 1775, Congress was seated in the Pennsylvania State House.
The document, so important to the United States of America, was written through a process that took time and cooperation.
Curiously, it was not officially signed July 4th. The famous printed version of the Declaration of Independence is decorated with the words "In Congress, July 4, 1776." It is boldly signed by John Hancock and the founders at the bottom.
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