Skip to main content

Primary sourceDocument1776

Declaration of Independence

Continental Congress (drafted by Thomas Jefferson) · 1776

The engrossed 1776 parchment declaring American independence, which Adams helped draft and signed.

Adams served on the drafting committee, argued for adoption on the floor, and signed the engrossed parchment.

Ask John Adams about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Scan of the engrossed Declaration of Independence on aged parchment. Heading reads 'In Congress, July 4, 1776' with the title 'The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America' below. Dense handwritten text fills the page; signatures appear at the bottom.
Declaration of Independence, engrossed copy, 1776. U.S. National Archives.

About this source

What it is

This is the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and engrossed on parchment for signing beginning August 2, 1776. It is held by the U.S. National Archives.

Why it matters

A committee of five, including John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, prepared the statement, with Jefferson doing the actual writing and Adams and Franklin reviewing his drafts. Fifty-six delegates eventually signed the engrossed copy, declaring the thirteen colonies independent states. It shows how a group of political leaders worked together—and argued—to put their ideas into one founding document.

Look closer

  • Why do you think the delegates signed by state, from north to south?
  • What does the careful handwriting and formal language tell you about how seriously they treated this document?
  • Whose voices are missing from a document written entirely by men serving in Congress?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, John Locke, George III and Patrick Henry on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More John Adams sources

Meet the AI John Adams →
Engraved portrait print of a man in a powdered wig and dark coat with buttons, set within an ornate oval-corner frame on a pedestal. Inscription below reads John Adams, Gezant der Noord-Americaansche Staaten, in de Vereenigde Nederlanden. A draped curtain, open book, and laurel branch flank the pedestal.Painting

Primary source

Portrait of John Adams, American Diplomat

1790

Engraved print of a man in an oval frame with a laurel wreath and palm fronds, wearing a coat and cravat, standing on a pedestal inscribed with his name and title, next to an open book.Painting

Primary source

Allegorical Portrait of John Adams

1782

Engraved portrait of a man in a dark coat with a white cravat and powdered hair, seated behind a table with a sextant, a compass, and papers. Caption below names John Adams, teacher of mathematics, navigation, and etc.Painting

Primary source

Engraving of John Adams by J. T. Smith

J. T. Smith · 1795

Scan of a handwritten manuscript page headed 'Duplicate' with the calligraphic opening 'In the Name of the most Holy & undivided Trinity' and a preamble naming King George the Third and the United States of America.Document

Primary source

Treaty of Paris

3 September 1783

Lithograph portrait of a man in a full-bottomed wig and dark legal-style gown with white bands at the throat, shown from the waist up, turned slightly to his left. Signature 'John Adams' below, with publisher line 'Published by Thos. McLean, 26 Haymarket' and artist credits 'H.P. Briggs Esq. R.A. Pinx' and 'W.D. Litho.'Painting

Secondary source

Engraved Portrait of John Adams Published by Thomas McLean

W.D., after H.P. Briggs

Ready when you are

Start chatting with John Adams now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions