Goddard Broadside

The Goddard Broadside was the second printed version of the United States Declaration of Independence to be distributed by the Second Continental Congress and the first to include the names of the signatories. [ [http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/bdsbib:@field(NUMBER+@od1(bdsdcc+02101)) American Memory from the Library of Congress ] ]

History

Contrary to popular belief, the US Declaration of Independence was not "signed" on July 4, 1776. That was instead the date that the final draft of the Declaration was approved by the states represented in the Second Continental Congress (except New York) and sent to printer John Dunlap for typesetting and printing. The earliest published copies of Declaration, which were sent to the states, British authorities, and others, were these printed Dunlap Broadsides. [ [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/museum/item.asp?item_id=28&sequence=2 The National Archives | Research, education & online exhibitions | Treasures from The National Archives | American independence ] ]

After the Declaration was approved by New York, an "engrossed copy" was prepared on parchment by a calligrapher and signed by the delegates on and after August 2, 1776. This engrossed copy is the famous version of the Declaration now on display in the National Archives.

In January 1777, Congress decided the Declaration should be more widely distributed. Printer Mary Katherine Goddard was commissioned to print a version containing the text and names of the signatories. Today, these copies are known as the "Goddard Broadside". Nine copies are known to still exist.

One of the eventual signers of the Declaration, Thomas McKean, is not listed on the Goddard Broadside, suggesting that he signed the engrossed copy after January 1777.

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