The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776 — but how many delegates actually signed it on that date?
Only 2 — John Hancock and Charles Thomson
The answer was Only 2 — John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Here's the why, the decoys, and the source trail.
A good question from Curious Minute. curiousminute.com
Try today's live question, or browse previous answers when you want another quick dive.
On July 4, 1776, Congress voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence, but only John Hancock (as president of Congress) and Charles Thomson (as secretary) signed the official broadside that day. The famous parchment copy with 56 signatures wasn't signed by most delegates until August 2, 1776.
The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
A good trivia question makes the wrong answers feel close. Here is the clean read on the set.
- All 56 delegates - a decoy; it may live near the same topic, but it does not answer this exact clue.
- Only 2 — John Hancock and Charles Thomson - correct answer.
- 13, one from each colony - a decoy; it may live near the same topic, but it does not answer this exact clue.
- None — most signed it on August 2 - a decoy; it may live near the same topic, but it does not answer this exact clue.
Only 2 — John Hancock and Charles Thomson is the one to remember. On July 4, 1776, Congress voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence, but only John Hancock (as president of Congress) and Charles Thomson (as secretary) signed the official broadside that day. The youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence was Edward Rutledge of South Carolina, who was just 26 years old.
We may earn a commission.
Sources: U.S. National Archives