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The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America; July 4th, 1776, Photo by John Trumbull-Wikimedia
Top 10 Unknown Facts about the United States Declaration of Independence
The United States declaration of independence happens on the 4th of July. On this day Americans celebrate their independence from Britain. The declaration of independence document is important because it states the framework of America as known presently. It was also useful in securing the country’s independence from Britain.
Many Americans are aware of this vital document that brought about the independence of their country. But little is known as to why the document had to be formal.
America needed allies and they had to declare themselves independent from Britain by legal means. That meant all the 13 colonies to unite into a single body. The strength of one colony by itself was limited and weak to go against powerful countries like France at the time. Yet thirteen colonies together would have a significant impact. Hence, formalizing the declaration of independence was valuable.
The signing of this document led to the famous 4th of July event as it marked the day to celebrate independence. With the picture of how the declaration of independence document came about and its gravity in America’s history, find out the untold truths about the report.
This event is filled with intriguing discoveries. Take a look at these top 10 hidden realities about the United States Declaration of Independence.
1. The original Independence Day is 2 July 1776
The 4TH of July is when America celebrates its independence. But the first announcement by the continental congress about America’s freedom from Britain was on 2 July 1776.
On this day there was a unanimous vote from New York delegates and the resolution was approved. The events that followed leading to the signing of the document are why many people are unaware of what took place on 2nd July.
2. The declaration of independence ownership happened on July 4th, 1776
Original Declaration of Independence as printed on July 4, 1776, top of page 1, Photo by Continental Congress-Wikimedia
On the 4th of July 1776, the declaration of independence acceptance began. It took a couple of days for the continental congress to acknowledge the document. This is because there were edits to be considered and approved for the document to be recognized.
The majority of the people across the colonies didn’t know about the document drafting until many days later. During that era, news traveled slowly compared to the modern day. The 4th of July remained the date that the document became official despite the time news reached many of the citizens.
3. The declaration of independence document was not signed until early 1777
Carl Albert posing with President Gerald R. Ford, Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, and Chief Justice Warren Burger in front of the Declaration of Independence-Wikimedia
The signing of the declaration of independence deed was not immediately after its appreciation on the 4th, of July 1776. After its recognition, printing followed and due to the formalities involved in the process, the copies to be signed were available in 1777. Another cause of the delay was that delegates with the mandate to sign lived across colonies and didn’t always have the means or time to travel.
4. Six people signed both declarations of independence and the constitution.
Drafting of the Declaration of Independence. The Committee: Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, Livingston, and Sherman-Wikimedia
The total number of people who signed the declaration of independence was 56 while the number of people who signed the constitution was 39. Only six men had the privileged to sign the constitution and the declaration of independence. The famous six were Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, George Read, James Wilson, Robert Morris, and George Clymer.
5. The declaration of Independence Day celebrations began in post-1812
Americans didn’t start to celebrate the deceleration of Independence Day till post-1812. This was due to the disagreement between the federalists and the republicans. There was no consensus on the declaration of independence and its signing. These discords prevented the commemoration of the ceremony until after 1812 when the federalist group broke apart and left the political scene.
6. Richard Henry Lee proposed the bill for independence
It was Richard Henry Lee who proposed the lee resolution to the second continental congress on June 7, 1776. It gained support from John Adams over time. This was the earliest form of declaration of independence.
7. Thomas Jefferson didn’t write the declaration of independence solo
Thomas Jefferson (right), Benjamin Franklin (left), and John Adams (center) Writing the Declaration of Independence 1776 Photo by Jean Leon-Wikimedia
Jefferson was the main author of the declaration of independence. He worked with a committee of five people appointed on June 11, 1776. They began with a draft of a formal statement for the colonies’ case for independence.
The committee members were the famed six as discussed earlier who signed the declaration. There was a total of 86 edits to Jefferson’s original copy by the time of approval on July 4.
8. The vote on independence declaration day was not unanimous
The signing of the Declaration of Independence-Wikimedia
When the lee resolution went up again before the continental congress on July 2, 1776, the twelve colonies adopted it with New York forgoing it. On July 4th only nine colonies picked in favor of adopting the declaration of independence.
Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted no. Delaware never championed either side and New York opted to give up voting. This resulted in the vote being divided as only nine colonies voted.
9. John Dunlap was responsible for the printing of copies of the declaration of independence
A council of five was given the task to ensure the record’s distribution to the mass on the night of July 4th, 1776. The committee assigned John Dunlap to print hundreds of copies for issuing across the thirteen colonies on the 5th, of July 1776. These copies of Dunlap prints are rare to come by and only 26 copies survived.
10. The back of the document has mysterious writing
A keen look at the back side of a copy of the declaration of independence reveals some critical writing. It is believed to be the original date of 4th July 1776. The dates were added as a label because the parchment was often rolled up for transport during the revolutionary war.
United States Declaration of Independence is also known as the 4th of July. It’s a reminder of America’s history. It formed the foundation that shaped America’s past and continues to shape its future.
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