More fun from the National Archives and the Don't Know Much blog.
-Jefferson is the principle author of the Declaration of Independence with assistance from Franklin and Adams. The latter's edits were incorporated into the final version.
-The D of I was actually passed on July 2nd. Whoops.
-The D of I was signed over the course of a month. The famous painting of each signer coming up to the desk is not true.
-Hancock's signature is not so large because he wanted the king to be able to read it without his glasses. It's because he was the first to sign.
-With the exception of Hancock, everyone's signature is placed geographically to the state he represented.
-The D of I has traveled around quite a bit. Most interestingly to an unused gristmill in Virginia during the War of 1812.
-Reese Witherspoon is a direct descendent of declaration signer John Witherspoon.
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