56 men signed the Declaration on Aug. 2, 1776 — not July 4
Although July 4 is celebrated as Independence Day, the 56 delegates who risked their lives to sign the Declaration of Independence actually added their signatures on August 2, 1776.
Fifty-six men risked their lives to sign the Declaration of Independence, but most signatures were added on August 2, 1776, not on July 4. July 4 marks the adoption of the document; the formal signing by delegates occurred weeks later when they affixed their names.