Declaration of Independence
Little Known Facts Surrounding America's Founding Document
The United States Declaration of Independence is a document of iconic stature in its significance and relevance to our identity as Americans. Much has been written about this document that put the tyrannical rule of the British on notice to the world and justified the colonies’ independence.
We Hold These Truths
The Declaration stressed the rights possessed by Colonial Americans – including the right to revolt - by clearly outlining a list of complaints and grievances against King George III and English rule.
Little Known Facts
A good portion of the text, as well as the intent behind it, is well known and often quoted. Still, there remain some little known facts about the founding document.
- Independence Day: July 2, 1776 - Though Independence Day is celebrated on July 4th, the date that appears on the document itself, the 2nd of July is actually the day that the Continental Congress voted on and declared independence from Britain as the British fleet arrived in New York. The document itself wouldn’t actually be signed until August 2, 1776. In his writings, the 2nd President of the United States, John Adams, marked that in history, the 2nd of July would be memorialized. Close, but no cigar.
- Franklin and Adams Editors – All though Thomas Jefferson is credited with the penning of the Declaration, his first draft was corrected and edited by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. Jefferson took their suggestions and corrections and applied Franklin and Adams’ input to the final draft.
- John Hancock – When looking at the document, John Hancock’s name is not only the most prominently positioned (it is right in the middle), but it’s also the largest of the signatures. Hancock was President of the Continental Congress and as such had the privilege of being the first signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- Slavery Edited out – In some of the first incarnations of the Declaration, Thomas Jefferson included Britain’s support and continuance of slavery as one of the many grievances the colonies had against them. The delegations South Carolina and Georgia objected to the passage condemning slavery so it was omitted from the final draft.
- Youngest Signer – The youngest signer was 26 year old Edward Rutledge from South Carolina, who argued that the denunciation of slavery be removed from the document. And though initially opposed to breaking away from the crown, wound up being swayed (perhaps in large part due to the slavery omission) and signed the Declaration.
- The Oldest Signer - The oldest signer was the statesman, inventor, post master, printer, philosopher, soldier, firefighter, ambassador, delegate, cartoonist, and anti-slavery activist Benjamin Franklin, who in July of 1776 was 70 years old. Always one to explain himself in a manner that all could understand, Franklin famously said "we must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately", right before he put his name to the Declaration of Independence.
- Richard Stockton: Recanter – Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration, only one ever recanted. Though four other signers would be captured and treated ruthlessly by the British during the Revolutionary War, they would all eventually be released never having gone back on their word or beliefs. Richard Stockton, however, would. He was taken captive in the middle of the night and due to harsh British treatment, declared his allegiance to the crown before being released. Before his death, Stockton re-affirmed his belief in the document that he signed in the summer of 1776 and in the country it created.
As familiar as some may be with the history of the Declaration of Independence, it is from time to time a needful thing to be both re-examined and thankful for.
Sources:
“American Revolution”. American History; Dec2005, Vol. 40 Issue 5, p55-55, 1p
“Declaration of Independence”. World Almanac & Book of Facts; 2008, p494-495, 2p,
“Declaration of Independence: Chronology of Events” Retrieved 2009-07-03
“Little Known Facts About the Declaration of Independence”. Children's Digest; Sep/Oct2003, Vol. 53 Issue 5, p29-29, 1/2p
National Archives. “Did You Know…Independence Day Should Actually Be July 2?” Press Release Retrieved 2009-07-02
Signing of the Declaration of Independence
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