The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. However, it was not signed on that day by most delegates. Instead, the majority of the 56 delegates signed the document on August 2, 1776, nearly a month after its adoption. Some signers added their signatures even later, with the signing process extending beyond August 2. John Hancock, as President of the Continental Congress, was the first to sign the document at that time, with the other delegates signing mostly by state delegations. So, while July 4, 1776 is celebrated as the date of American independence, the actual signing of the Declaration took place mostly on August 2, 1776.
