Declaration of Independence Fact 11 When the Congress were declared traitors by royal decree they responded by issuing the Declaration of Independence. Declaration of Independence Fact 12 The Declaration of Independence Preamble: John Adams wrote the customary preamble, which stated that King George III had rejected reconciliation and was hiring foreign mercenaries to use against the American colonies. Declaration of Independence Fact 13 The Committee of Five appointed by the Second Continental Congress drafted what became known as America's Declaration of Independence. The members of the Committee of Five were: Thomas Jefferson John Adams Roger Sherman Robert Livingston Benjamin Franklin The Committee of Five Sherman, Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, and Livingston Declaration of Independence Fact 14 On July 4, 1776, the wording of the Declaration of Independence was approved and sent to the printer for publication. Declaration of Independence Text and Words Declaration of Independence Fact 15 The printer, John Dunlap, was asked to make about 200 copies to be distributed throughout the colonies. Only 26 Dunlap Broadsides have survived. Declaration of Independence Fact 16 The signers of the Declaration of Independence did not all sign on the same day. Declaration of Independence Fact 17 John Hancock was the first man to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. John Hancock was the President of the Continental Congress at the time of the signing. Declaration of Independence Fact 18 The other signatures were added on various dates, the last being Matthew Thornton, from New Hampshire, who signed on November 4, 1776.
Signatures on the Document Declaration of Independence Fact 19 Not one of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence was born in America. Declaration of Independence Fact 20 The first public reading of the signed Declaration of Independence took place on July 8, 1776, in Philadelphia. Declaration of Independence Fact 21 9 of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence died before the American Revolution ended in 1783. Declaration of Independence Fact 22 The Declaration of Independence was signed by Thomas Lynch, Jr. and Edward Rutledge when they were only 26 years of age. Declaration of Independence Fact 23 Benjamin Franklin was 70 years old and the oldest to sign the Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence Fact 24 Matthew Thornton, from New Hampshire, was the last man to sign the document on November 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence Fact 25 Signing the Declaration of Independence was extremely dangerous - a treasonable act, punishable by death Declaration of Independence Fact 26 Congress initially kept the names of the men who signed the document secret until January 1777 to protect them from charges of treason Declaration of Independence Fact 27 Two future presidents signed the Declaration: John Adams (second President) and Thomas Jefferson (third President). Declaration of Independence Fact 28 The original sheet of parchment measured 24¼ by 29¾ inches. Declaration of Independence Fact 29 ordered that the Declaration of Independence be read before the American army in New York when it was first printed.
Declaration of Independence Fact 30 The First Public reading of the Declaration of Independence was in Philadelphia's Independence Square, on July 8 1776 Declaration of Independence Fact 31 In 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed, the population of America is estimated to have been 2.5 million - the population of America is now about 312 million. Declaration of Independence Fact 25 The Declaration has only left the capital twice. The first time was when the British attacked Washington during the War of 1812, and the second time was during World War II from late 1941 until the fall of 1944 when it was stored at Fort Knox. Declaration of Independence Fact 26 The movie National Treasure starring Nicholas Cage is based on secret written on the back of the original document. There isn't a secret, but there is some writing - a filing reference. It says "Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776". Declaration of Independence Fact 27 Robert R. Livingston was a member of the Committee of Five, but did not sign the final copy. Declaration of Independence Fact 28 Independence Hall was originally called the Pennsylvania State House, but was changed after the signing of the Declaration of Independence when it became Independence Hall Declaration of Independence Fact 29 The Liberty Bell: The Liberty Bell sounded from the tower of Independence Hall on July 8, 1776, summoning citizens to gather for the first public reading by Colonel John Nixon. Declaration of Independence Fact 30 Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on Independence Day, July 4, 1826, 50 years after the first Independence Day. Declaration of Independence Fact 31 The signers of the Declaration of Independence had various occupations: 24 were lawyers, 11 were merchants, 9 were farmers and plantation owners Declaration of Independence Fact 25 According to legend, Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag in May or June 1776, as commissioned by the Congressional Committee. Declaration of Independence Fact 26 In 1941, Congress declared 4th of July a federal legal holiday. Declaration of Independence Fact 27 The average age of the Signers of the Declaration was 45