Our Declaration of Independence was formally adopted on July 4, 1776. Most Americans are very familiar with that date. However, most are unaware that the Declaration of Independence was not officially signed until later in the year. It was August 2 – almost a full month later – before the members of the Continental Congress that passed the Declaration began to officially ratify it with their signatures. Fifty-six men – aged 26-70 – placed their signatures on that document, declaring “that these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states…” They expressed “firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence” and launched our nation. God did bless and the ragtag armies of the American colonies defeated the greatest military power on earth at the time. Many paid dearly to take that stand. They lost fortunes, families, and in some cases their very lives because they had the courage to sign. But sign, they did, and we reap the wonderful benefits to this day.