Declaration of Independence

Today in the United States, Independence Day is celebrated; it is commonly known as the Fourth of July. It commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America. You won't be surprised that we have something special for you!

Declaration of Independence depicts the presentation of the draft of the Declaration of Independence to the Second Continental Congress, not the signing, as is often mistakenly believed. The moment shown occurred on June 28, 1776 , when the five-member drafting committee, led by Thomas Jefferson, formally submitted the document.

The painting was based on a smaller version Trumbull had completed earlier, now housed at the Yale University Art Gallery. For the larger version, Trumbull went to great lengths to ensure accuracy, painting many of the figures from life and even visiting Independence Hall in Philadelphia to faithfully render the room where the event took place.

Trumbull painted this work 50 years after the event. Originally, he intended to include all 56 signers, but could only obtain accurate likenesses of 42. In their place, he substituted relatives who bore a resemblance, such as Benjamin Harrison VI standing in for his father, Benjamin Harrison V, and Rufus Hopkins for his father, Stephen Hopkins. The painting also includes several individuals who participated in the debates but did not sign the document, such as John Dickinson, who notably refused to sign. Because the drafting, debating, and signing of the Declaration spanned several weeks and changes in congressional membership, the men portrayed were never all present in the room at the same time.

To all our American users: happy celebrations!

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