Curious Minute
Oct 19
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Curious Minute answer

Which two congressional officials' names authenticated the first printed Declaration of Independence?

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The answer

Only 2 — John Hancock and Charles Thomson


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Why it's right

The Dunlap broadside printed the names of John Hancock, president of Congress, and Charles Thomson, its secretary. These printed names authenticated the text; they were not the familiar handwritten signatures on the parchment. Most delegates signed that parchment on August 2, 1776.



How readers answered
A14%
B57%
C29%
D0%

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Sources: U.S. National Archives