From the July 1st Yahoo! Shine "The Story of John Hancock's Signature" by Mike Krumboltz.
This story would seem appropriate today, even thought the actual signing of the Declaration of Independence did not take place this date 235 years ago. What did happen today was that the delegates voted to accept it.
Why did John Hancock sigh it so big? Most stories have it was to make sure "fat old King George" could read it without his spectacles.
Actually, this account is not true according to Snopes.com. As president of the Continental Congress (which would also make him our country's first president), he was the first to sign it, as it should be. And he put his name front and center. He did not know that the rest of the delegates, who signed it days and months afterwards (the last signatures coming in late November), were going to sign smaller.
As the custom of the time dictated, the others signed to the right of the text and signing was arranged by state geographic location with New Hampshire being the farthest north, signing first and Georgia last.
Actual signing of the Declaration of Independence began August 4th.
The famous painting of the delegates signing the declaration at Independence Hall was actually a lot of artistic license.
As I have said before, I don't know that I would have signed the Declaration. Putting your signature on it branded you as being guilty of treason with execution your fate if you were captured. Mighty brave men.
Thanks John et All. --DaCoot
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