when was the declaration of independence signed

The Declaration of Independence was officially adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. However, the actual signing of the document did not take place on that day. Most historians agree that the signing occurred primarily on August 2, 1776, nearly a month after its adoption. Some delegates signed later, and not all were present on August 2. The first to sign was John Hancock, the President of the Congress, with other delegates signing by state delegation.