Founding & RightsAugust 2, 1776

Most signed it in August

The day most delegates actually signed

Most delegates signed the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776.

Adoption of the text and signing of the engrossed document happened nearly a month apart.

Source

Declaration of independenceU.S. National Archives

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Founding & Rights

Years to the day after the Declaration

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826, the Declaration of Independence's 50th anniversary.July 4, 1826Read it Founding & Rights

Signers of the Declaration of Independence

Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence.1776Read it Founding & Rights

The Declaration's youngest signer, Edward Rutledge, was 26. Its oldest, Benjamin Franklin, was 70.1776Read it