Which was the first state to sign the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 1

Those who say that Delaware was the first to ratify the Constitution are correct --and maybe that's what you wanted to know.

BUT there DOES seem to have and order to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Note the following:

"At that time, a general practice was to sign below text on the right and by geographic location. Using this protocol, signatures of the New Hampshire delegates began the list. Delegates from Georgia, the southernmost state, ended the list."

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/6-8/documents/declaration/signers.html

Thus the answer would be NEW HAMPSHIRE (signers: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple)

If you want to know, more strictly, which PEOPLE were the very first to sign the document, there is no question on that point.
Before the official form printed for signing by the delegates of the states (and they WERE now declaring themselves states, no longer colonies!), John Hancock (President of Congress, a representative from Massachusetts) signed the document on July 4, and the Secretary of Congress, Charles Thompson, signed it in attestation (the only two to do so on that date). Most of the delegates signed the printed form on August 2.

See this at the bottom of the following page:
http://www.lewismicropublishing.com/DeclarationIndependence/
Compare:
http://www.historychannel.com/tdih/tdih.jsp?category=americanrevolution&month=10272960&day=10272967
http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/Our_Country_vol_2/continenta_ig.html

Answer 2

Well, legally, the Declaration has not standing; the foudation for our country was set out in the Constitution. And, the Declaration wasn't signed on 7/4/1776, but over a period of time after that (it was ratified by the Continental Congress on that day). The seeds of democracy were earlier. The Black Panthers rewrote the Declaration, in the 60s, to make a point about the racial inequality of this country. So it did have a role in that movement. I believe feminists used it, too, to make that basic point. At the founding of the country, neither women nor people of color were considered among the "men" that were "created equal". And, of course, there's that pesky bit about someone having "created" us all. BTW, Jefferson did a bit of photocopying and a bit of editing. If you read John Locke (from whom the concepts underlying the Declaration were lifted), you'll see the phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of property" prominent.

Answer 3

The Declaration of Independence wasn't signed by states. It was signed by men who represented the thirteen colonies. There were no states per-say yet, so they were just Representatives of the second Continental Congress. I hope this helps

Answer 4

When did states sign anything? I thought people signed the Declaration of Independence, am I wrong? .....and so it goes, another person who cannot formulate a simple sentence.

Answer 5

Delaware

Answer 6

Delaware

Answer 7

Thomas Jefferson or James Madison???

Sorry, I read your question wrong...Delaware

Answer 8

john hancock

Answer 9

was it delware. i'm not sure.