Celebrate America’s Independence

Sales Event

While we enjoy many of our great freedoms every day, the 4th of July is a day set aside for us to reflect and enjoy them. In celebration, Wheelers is holding a Chevy 4th of July Sales Event through 7/8. If you are looking for a vehicle be sure to stop by before you head off to the lake or fire up the grill. You can check out our available inventory online and even get an instant offer through our Kelly Blue Book tool for your trade-in.

Are you familiar with the history behind Independence Day? Keep reading to test your knowledge.

The 4th of July is a day reserved as Independence Day in celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration was officially adopted with nine of the 13 colonies voting in favor, Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware was undecided and New York abstained from the vote. With the majority vote, our great country claimed independence from England.

How many signatures are on the Declaration of Independence?

According to Military.com, the signatures appear in six columns.

Column 1

Georgia:  Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Column 2

North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr. Arthur Middleton

Column 3

Massachusetts: John Hancock

Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Caroll of Carrollton

Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

Column 4

Pennsylvania: Robber Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Column 5

New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Column 6

New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple

Massachusetts: Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New Hampshire: Matthew Thornton

Totaling 56 signatures.

Other interesting facts about the Declaration of Independence:

On what date did the Continental Congress actually vote for independence?

July 2, 1776

What is the date of the written Declaration of Independence?

July 4, 1776

On what date was the document actually signed?

August 2, 1776. Although, not all of the 56 delegates were present on that day.

Who was the first person to sign the Declaration?

John Hancock

Who was the last person to sign the Declaration?

Thomas McKean of Delaware is presumed to be the last person to sign because when Congress authorized the printing of an official copy in January 1777, his name was not included. Indicating that McKean signed after that date.