

On December 12, threatened by the British, Congress adjourned and reconvened 8 days later in Baltimore, MD, where the document remained until its return to Philadelphia in March of 1777. After the signing ceremony on August 2, it was most likely filed in Philadelphia. The Declaration of Independence spent many years on the road. He signed after that date, or the printer made a mistake by omitting him. When Congress authorized the printing of an official copy with the names attached in January 1777, McKean's name was not included. It is believed Thomas McKean of Delaware was the last person to sign. The others signed by state delegation, beginning in the upper right in one column, and then proceeding in five other columns, arranged from the northernmost state (New Hampshire) to the southernmost (Georgia). John Hancock signed first, with a large hand right in the middle because he was the President of the Congress.

Fifty-six delegates eventually signed the document, although all were not present on that day in August. The written Declaration of Independence was dated July 4 but wasn't actually signed until August 2. John Adams, in his writings, even noted that July 2 would be remembered in the annals of American history and would be marked with fireworks and celebrations. Jis the day that the Continental Congress actually voted for independence. Jefferson took their edits and incorporated them into what would become the version finally adopted. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence, which was then edited by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. Who Authored the Declaration of Independence? The Declaration of Independence set the course for our nation on a journey of freedom, which also led this historic document on its own journey. America's revolutionary Charter of Freedom, the Declaration of Independence is a document upon which our nation's founding principles were established.
