Thomas Jefferson. Declaration of Independence. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, July 4, 1776. George Washington Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress (36)
[Digital ID# us0036_1]
First Printed Version of Declaration of Independence
Congress approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and directed that it be printed by John Dunlap. This only surviving fragment of the Declaration broadside printed by Dunlap was sent on July 6, 1776, to George Washington by John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. General Washington had this Declaration read to his assembled troops on July 9 in New York, where they awaited the combined British fleet and army.