Second Continental Congress Collection

Signed copy of the Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Signed copy of the Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776

Signed copy of the Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Signed copy of the Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776

Declaration of Independence of the 13 United States of America of 1776, 1823 (copper
BAL10593 Declaration of Independence of the 13 United States of America of 1776, 1823 (copper engraving) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; American, out of copyright

Detail of the beginning of the Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Detail of the beginning of the Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. John Hancocks Defiance. Lithograph, 1876, by Currier & Ives

The Fitzwilliam copy of the Olive Branch Petition, 1775. The Olive Branch Petition was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 5, 1775

Declaration of Independence, 1776, 1st January 1823 (facsimile on vellum)
695930 Declaration of Independence, 1776, 1st January 1823 (facsimile on vellum) by Stone, William James (1798-1865); sheet:84x39 cm; Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York

Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from Le Costume Ancien et Moderne
STC109090 Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from Le Costume Ancien et Moderne, Volume I, plate 41, by Jules Ferrario, published c.1820s-30s (colour engraving) by Fumagalli

The back of a U. S. two dollar note depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall in
CURRENCY: TWO DOLLAR BILL. The back of a U.S. two dollar note depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 4 July 1776

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The United States Declaration of Independence. This is a reproduction of a copy which was produced in unknown numbers and known as the Dunlap Broadside

A key to the statesmen portrayed in John Trumbulls painting The Declaration of Independence
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE A key to the statesmen portrayed in John Trumbulls painting The Declaration of Independence

Signing of the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776. Drawing by Henry A. Ogden (1856-1936)
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Signing of the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776. Drawing by Henry A. Ogden (1856-1936)

(1732-1799) accepting the election to Commander in Chief in the Continental Congress, 15 June, 1775: lithograph, 1876
GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732-1799) accepting the election to Commander in Chief in the Continental Congress, 15 June, 1775: lithograph, 1876, by Currier & Ives

FRANKLIN CREDENTIALS, 1778. Letter from the Continental Congress and its President, Henry Laurens, to King Louis XVI of France, 21 October 1778, on Benjamin Franklins credentials as U.S

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. Detail of the third and fourth lines of the Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776, which reads We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal

CONGRESS: COMMITTEE, 1788. Printed report, 11 June 1788, from a committee of the Continental Congress, on pensions for invalid citizens

JAMES DUANE (1733-1797). American lawyer, jurist, and Revolutionary leader. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress, New York senator, and as Mayor of New York

American merchant, politician and President of the Continental Congress, 1781-82
JOHN HANSON (1721-1783). American merchant, politician and President of the Continental Congress, 1781-82. Bronze statue by Richard Brooks, 1903, at the United States Capitol Building in Washington

John Nixon giving the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in the State House Yard, Philadelphia
JOHN NIXON, 1776. John Nixon giving the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in the State House Yard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 8 July 1776. Wood engraving, 19th century

The first printing of the Declaration of Independence, also known as the Dunlop Broadside
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE The first printing of the Declaration of Independence, also known as the Dunlop Broadside. Printed by John Dunlop, in Philadelphia, 4 July 1776

American soldier and traitor. Benedict Arnolds commission as major general in the Continental Army, 1777
BENEDICT ARNOLD (1741-1801). American soldier and traitor. Benedict Arnolds commission as major general in the Continental Army, 1777

The signing of the Declaration of Independence in Congress at the Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE The signing of the Declaration of Independence in Congress at the Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 4 July 1776

The First Announcement of the Great Declaration (of Independence). John Nixon making the first public reading of
THE REBELS OF 76. The First Announcement of the Great Declaration (of Independence). John Nixon making the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in the States House Yard

Broadside, 13 June 1776, from the Provincial Congress in New York, ordering the militia to prepare for an English
NEW YORK: MILITIA, 1776. Broadside, 13 June 1776, from the Provincial Congress in New York, ordering the militia to prepare for an English invasion of the colony

American Revolutionary leader. Halls autograph signature on the U. S. Declaration of Independence, 1776
LYMAN HALL (1724-1790). American Revolutionary leader. Halls autograph signature on the U.S. Declaration of Independence, 1776

American Revolutionary leader. Facsimile of the holograph signature affixed to the Declaration of Independence
CHARLES CARROLL (1737-1832). American Revolutionary leader. Facsimile of the holograph signature affixed to the Declaration of Independence

Facsimilie of the original draft of the Declaration of Independence with portraits of the signers as a border
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Facsimilie of the original draft of the Declaration of Independence with portraits of the signers as a border. Lithograph, 1896, by Kurz & Allison

A 20th century film depiction of the signing of the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall in Philadelphia
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDECE A 20th century film depiction of the signing of the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 4 July 1776

The Signing of the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 4 July 1776
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE The Signing of the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 4 July 1776. Wood engraving, English, 19th century

The building in which the Continental Congress of 1783 held its fall session at Annapolis, Maryland: wood engraving
CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, 1783. The building in which the Continental Congress of 1783 held its fall session at Annapolis, Maryland: wood engraving, 19th century

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. Signing of the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, 4 July 1776. Contemporary German etching by Berger

American lawyer and political leader. Waltons autograph signature on the U. S. Declaration of Independence, 1776
GEORGE WALTON (1741-1804). American lawyer and political leader. Waltons autograph signature on the U.S. Declaration of Independence, 1776

American merchant, politician and President of the Continental Congress, 1781-82. Lithograph, 19th century
JOHN HANSON (1721-1783). American merchant, politician and President of the Continental Congress, 1781-82. Lithograph, 19th century

The signing of the Declaration of Independence in Congress, at the Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE The signing of the Declaration of Independence in Congress, at the Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 4 July 1776

John Hancocks Defiance. Lithograph, 1876, by Currier & Ives
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. John Hancocks Defiance. Lithograph, 1876, by Currier & Ives

VOTING INDEPENDENCE, 1776. The Continental Congress voting in favor of independence, 1776. Copper engraving by Edward Savage, early 19th century, after a painting by Robert Edge Pine

CARPENTERs HALL. Carpenters Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, meeting-place of the First and Second Continental Congresses of 1774 and 1775. Illustration by Howard Pyle (1853-1911)

EVRV2A-00126
Draft of the Declaration of Independence in Jeffersons handwriting, page 1. Woodcut reproduction with a watercolor wash

EVRV2A-00141
Portraits of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, with the drafting Committee in the middle, Philadelphia, 1776. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

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"The Second Continental Congress: Paving the Path to Independence" On 4 July 1776, history was made as the Second Continental Congress gathered in Philadelphia's Independence Hall. Amongst the esteemed delegates, a signed copy of the Declaration of Independence marked a pivotal moment for the thirteen United States of America. This powerful document boldly declared their separation from British rule and laid the foundation for a new nation. The significance of this occasion is immortalized through various artistic representations throughout history. A lithograph by Currier & Ives captures John Hancock's defiant signature on that fateful day in 1876, showcasing his unwavering commitment to freedom. The Fitzwilliam copy of the Olive Branch Petition from 1775 serves as a reminder that peaceful resolutions were sought before resorting to independence. Independence Hall itself stands proudly in Philadelphia, serving as an enduring symbol of liberty and democracy. Its image graces Le Costume Ancien et Moderne, emphasizing its historical importance and architectural beauty. Even currency pays homage to this monumental event; on the back of a U. S. Two-dollar note, we see an illustration depicting those brave individuals signing their names with determination at Independence Hall. Henry A. Ogden's drawing transports us back to that very room where these courageous men put pen to paper, forever changing the course of American history. In addition to these visual representations lies evidence within written records such as Franklin Credentials from 1778—a letter affirming Benjamin Franklin's role in representing America abroad during these tumultuous times. Over time, celebrations have emerged around this historic date—Independence Day—an annual commemoration filled with pride and patriotism across our great nation since its engraving in 1853. The Second Continental Congress remains an indelible chapter in American history—a gathering that united thirteen colonies under one cause: freedom from tyranny. Their actions paved the way for future generations who would continue striving towards equality and justice for all.