Unusual Facts About the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is a significant piece of document in the history of America. It was drafted by Thomas Jefferson and was instrumental in giving the people of America freedom from the colonial rule. While most of us know the basic facts about the Declaration, there are some unusual facts that many may not know. Some of them are listed below:

• When the first draft of the Declaration was made, it was officially called A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America in General Congress Assembled.
• The Declaration was set and ready by June 28, 1776. However, there were several debates on its content and changes were made right until July 4.
• This document was finally signed by John Hancock, who was the president of the Continental Congress, on July 4, 1776. However, the other delegates only signed the document on August 2, 1776.
• Thomas Jefferson, the main drafter of the Declaration, came from a family that had its own slaves.
• It took less than 3 weeks to pen down the Declaration of Independence.
• When it was time to vote for the Declaration, the states of Pennsylvania and South Carolina actually voted against it. However, on July 2 the 2 states retracted their negative vote.
• Did you know that the Congress member John Dickinson refused to sign the Declaration as he believed that there was still hope for reconcile between the Americans and the British?
• The original copy of the Declaration was penned on paper made from hemp, which is a fiber obtained from the marijuana plant.

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