Declaration of Independence

"The Rest of the Story"

🎙️ Paul Harvey's "Freedom to Die"

The legendary broadcaster's stirring tribute to the signers of the Declaration of Independence

Paul Harvey - Declaration of Independence: Freedom to Die

▶️

Click to watch this powerful 4-minute tribute on YouTube

📜 Signing Surprises

Not Signed on July 4th: Although the Declaration was adopted on July 4, 1776, most signers did not actually sign it until August 2, with some adding their names in the following weeks.

The Signature That Became Famous: John Hancock's bold, oversized signature is the most famous. He was the first to sign and did so with dramatic flair, reportedly saying, "I guess King George will be able to read that!" The phrase "John Hancock" is now synonymous with "signature."

👥 Ages & Origins

Youngest Signers: Edward Rutledge and Thomas Lynch Jr., both just 26 years old from South Carolina.

Oldest Signer: Benjamin Franklin, at 70.

International Founders: Eight signers were born outside the American colonies, hailing from the British Isles—making the Declaration truly international.

💼 Diverse Professions

While many signers were lawyers, the group included businessmen, farmers, teachers, and even a minister—John Witherspoon of New Jersey, the only active clergyman to sign.

College President: John Witherspoon was president of the College of New Jersey, which later became Princeton University.

🎭 Remarkable Lives & Legacies

Musical Inventors: Francis Hopkinson invented the "Bellarmonic," and Benjamin Franklin created the "glass armonica"—instruments that never caught on.

Brothers in Liberty: Francis Lightfoot Lee and Richard Henry Lee of Virginia were one of only two pairs of brothers to sign.

Political Dynasty: Benjamin Harrison was the father and great-grandfather of two future U.S. presidents: William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison.

Survival Stories: Francis Lewis survived two shipwrecks before emigrating to America, while Thomas Lynch Jr. vanished at sea in 1779, never to be found.

🇺🇸 ⚔️ The Price of Freedom ⚔️ 🇺🇸

Tragic Fates: Nine signers died before American independence was officially won.

Personal Sacrifices: Several signers, such as William Floyd and Francis Lewis, had their homes and estates destroyed by the British during the war.

From Captive to Governor: George Walton, a signer from Georgia, was captured by the British during the war, later became governor of Georgia, and helped found what would become the University of Georgia.

Last Survivor: Charles Carroll of Carrollton was the last surviving signer, dying at age 95 in 1832—linking the founding generation to the era of Andrew Jackson.