The 56 signers of

the Declaration of Independence did not sign at the same time,

nor did they sign on

July 4, 1776.

The official event occurred on August 2,

1776, when 50 men

signed it. Their names

were kept from the public for six months to protect the signers since

they would have been punished with death if

independence had not

been achieved (you know, treason and all).