The signing of the Declaration of Independence was one of the biggest events in American history. Signed on July 4, 1776, this document put an end to the then occurring war between Great Britain and the thirteen colonies of America, and declared these thirteen colonies independent from British rule. This Declaration was drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776. The Declaration of Independence voiced the collective thoughts of the people of the nation, regarding their need and desire for independence. It gave a clear justification as to why independence was necessary, and now long overdue. This Declaration is perhaps what is most revered among the people of the United states of America as a symbol of its freedom, with July 4 being celebrated as the American Independence Day, every year. There were a total of 56 individuals who signed the Declaration of Independence, belonging to the thirteen colonies that existed at the time. Here, we take a look at an overview of the drafting committee, and then a list of the individuals who signed the Declaration. To create the Declaration of Independence, a drafting committee of 5 members was brought into being. This committee included:

• Benjamin Franklin (Pennsylvania)
• John Adams (Massachusetts)
• Thomas Jefferson (Virginia)
• Roger Sherman (Connecticut)
• Robert R. Livingston (New York)

While Thomas Jefferson would write the Declaration of Independence, the remaining members were to assist him and make any alterations if required. The original document was slightly altered by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, and was finally given to the Congress for approval. Declared as an 'expression of the American mind' by Jefferson, the Declaration clearly stated the numerous grievances of the people of America, against King George III, the then British Emperor. However, it was also one of the most inspired pieces of writing that Jefferson became synonymous with. The signers of the Declaration of Independence belonged to different professions and trades. Some of them were lawyers and jurors, while others were merchants, farmers and plantation owners. All of them were highly educated individuals.

Signatories	Lifetime
Connecticut
Roger Sherman	1721-1793
Samuel Huntington	1731-1796
William Williams	1731-1811
Oliver Wolcott	1726-1797
Delaware
Caesar Rodney	1728-1784
George Read	1733-1798
Thomas McKean	1734-1817
Georgia
Button Gwinnett	1735-1777
Lyman Hall	1724-1790
George Walton	1741-1804
Maryland
Samuel Chase	1741-1811
William Paca	1740-1799
Thomas Stone	1743-1787
Charles Carroll	1737-1832
Massachusetts
John Hancock	1737-1793
Samuel Adams	1722-1803
John Adams	1735-1826
Robert Treat Paine	1731-1814
Elbridge Gerry	1744-1814
New Hampshire
Josiah Bartlett	1729-1795
William Whipple	1730-1785
Matthew Thornton	1714-1803
New Jersey
Richard Stockton	1730-1781
John Witherspoon	1723-1794
Francis Hopkinson	1737-1791
John Hart	1711-1779
Abraham Clark	1725-1794
New York
William Floyd	1734-1821
Philip Livingston	1716-1778
Francis Lewis	1713-1802
Lewis Morris	1726-1798
North Carolina
William Hooper	1742-1790
Joseph Hewes	1730-1779
John Penn	1741-1788
Pennsylvania
Robert Morris	1734-1806
Benjamin Rush	1745-1813
Benjamin Franklin	1706-1790
John Morton	1724-1777
George Clymer	1739-1813
James Smith	1719-1806
George Taylor	1716-1781
James Wilson	1742-1798
George Ross	1730-1779
Rhode Island
Stephen Hopkins	1707-1785
William Ellery	1727-1820
South Carolina
Edward Rutledge	1749-1800
Thomas Heyward, Jr.	1746-1809
Thomas Lynch, Jr.	1749-1779
Arthur Middleton	1742-1787
Virginia
George Wythe	1726-1806
Richard Henry Lee	1732-1794
Thomas Jefferson	1743-1826
Benjamin Harrison	1726-1791
Thomas Nelson, Jr.	1738-1789
Francis Lightfoot Lee	1734-1797
Carter Braxton	1736-1797

Independence comes at a price, it is always said. Not all was hunky dory after the Declaration of Independence was signed. A little-known fact is that in spite of it being accepted by the Congress without any major changes, several of the signers were tortured, burned to death, and lost family and property after they went through with signing of the Declaration. These well-educated men knew what they would have to give up for the sake of freedom of the country, and yet went through with the process in larger interests. Such individuals should be respected, revered, and thanked for their sacrifice. It is only because of them that liberty and freedom are now enjoyed by the people of the United States of America.