August 1776: John Hancock signs the Declaration of Independence … twice

This Month in History

Life is about second chances. Without them, John Hancock would not own history’s most iconic signature.

On August 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence. To determine the order of signers, names were placed into and pulled from a sweaty wig. As the first name drawn, John Hancock of Massachusetts approached and signed the document. Seeking relief from the heat, he exited the building to get some air.

Others followed, and as they passed Hancock sitting on the front lawn, a few snickered in his direction. Within a few minutes, a small group had conjured nearby, glancing at Hancock and covering their mouths like a gaggle of middle school girls after one of their friends had been asked to homecoming via a hand-passed note.