Independence Day is upon us

The Declaration of Independence, which was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, was signed by 56 delegates representing the thirteen American colonies. Here are the names of the signers, arranged by state:

New Hampshire:

Josiah Bartlett

William Whipple

Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:

4. Samuel Adams

John Adams

John Hancock

Robert Treat Paine

Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:

9. Stephen Hopkins

William Ellery

Connecticut:

11. Roger Sherman

Samuel Huntington

William Williams

Oliver Wolcott

New York:

15. William Floyd

Philip Livingston

Francis Lewis

Lewis Morris

New Jersey:

19. Richard Stockton

John Witherspoon

Francis Hopkinson

John Hart

Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:

24. Robert Morris

Benjamin Rush

Benjamin Franklin

John Morton

George Clymer

James Smith

George Taylor

James Wilson

George Ross

Delaware:

33. Caesar Rodney

George Read

Thomas McKean

Maryland:

36. Samuel Chase

William Paca

Thomas Stone

Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:

40. George Wythe

Richard Henry Lee

Thomas Jefferson

Benjamin Harrison

Thomas Nelson Jr.

Francis Lightfoot Lee

Carter Braxton

North Carolina:

47. William Hooper

Joseph Hewes

John Penn

South Carolina:

50. Edward Rutledge

Thomas Heyward Jr.

Thomas Lynch Jr.

Arthur Middleton

Georgia:

54. Button Gwinnett

Lyman Hall

George Walton

These individuals risked their lives and livelihoods by signing the Declaration of Independence, as it was an act of treason against the British Crown. Their courageous actions laid the foundation for the United States of America.

The original Declaration of Independence is housed in the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in Washington, D.C., United States. Specifically, it is on display in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, alongside the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The National Archives building is located at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20408.

It is important to note that the Declaration of Independence is a highly valuable and delicate historical document, and the version on display is a carefully preserved and protected facsimile. The original document is kept in a secure vault within the National Archives for its long-term preservation.

The Declaration of Independence was primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson, who was a prominent Founding Father of the United States. However, it is worth noting that the document underwent revisions and edits through a committee process involving other members of the Second Continental Congress. The committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. After revisions and debates, the final version of the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.

The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The signing took place on July 4, 1776, in the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. The document was drafted by a committee of five members, including Thomas Jefferson, and was later adopted by the Continental Congress. The Declaration of Independence is considered one of the most important documents in American history, as it announced the thirteen American colonies' decision to break away from British rule and form a new nation, the United States of America.

The Declaration of Independence is widely regarded as a historically significant document that laid the foundation for the principles of liberty, equality, and individual rights that are central to the United States' identity. It proclaimed the colonists' grievances against British rule and asserted their right to self-governance. The Declaration articulated the belief that all individuals are born with certain inalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

From a historical perspective, the Declaration of Independence played a crucial role in galvanizing public support for the American Revolution and inspiring other independence movements around the world. Its principles continue to shape American society and influence democratic movements globally.

However, it's important to note that the Declaration of Independence, like any document, can be subject to interpretation and scrutiny. While it championed the ideals of freedom and equality, the reality of implementing those principles was a complex and ongoing process throughout American history. The Declaration did not immediately grant equal rights to all individuals, as it initially excluded certain groups such as enslaved people and women. Nevertheless, the principles enshrined in the Declaration have served as a guiding light for progress and advocacy in the pursuit of a more inclusive and just society.

Overall, the Declaration of Independence holds immense historical and symbolic significance, representing a seminal moment in the quest for independence and the establishment of democratic values.