When Was the Declaration of Independence Signed?

For many people, that seems like an easy question. The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. Or was it? Although the Continental Congress approved the document on that date, it was not actually first signed until August 2, 1776. Why? The Congress wanted an official, legible document. They also needed a copy big enough to hold everyone’s signatures. So they ordered that the declaration be engrossed—that is, copied in a large, clear...