This decorative poster is being displayed in the foyer of the Botetourt Museum of History & Culture in Fincastle with other items to help celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial this summer. It is on loan from Ed and Betty Holt.
The Second Continental Congress approved “The Unanimous Declaration of the 13 United States of America” on July 4, 1776. On July 19, Congress ordered an official copy to be made in ornamental handwritten script on parchment paper. Therefore, the official signing did not occur until August 2, 1776.
As President of the Continental Congress, John Hancock boldly signed the official document first under the center of the text. The remaining delegates signed their names in columns starting with the northernmost colonies on the right and moving south to the left. The delegates who were absent on August 2 later added their signatures making a total of 56. Some delegates never signed their names.
It was a risky choice of heroism to sign this document.
