Declaration of Independence

The "Declaration of Independence" was the second official government of America (first being the Mayflower Compact) that was written to persuade the King of Britain that the thirteen colonies want to be free and independent. Thomas Jefferson, a young Virginian man, along with other patriots such as Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Henry Lee, and John Jay helped write it and sign it. It was signed of the 4th of July, 1776. John Hancock was the first to sign it, and said, "I'll make mine big so King George can read it all the way from Britain." The members who signed it committed treason and were to be captured or executed.