Wednesday is National Handwriting Day, sign me up!

Wednesday is National Handwriting Day because January 23rd was John Hancock’s birthday. As the most famous signature on the Declaration of Independence, there are many rumors surrounding why his signature was so big. Some say after signing, Hancock commented that he wrote his name so large so the “fat old King could read it without his spectacles.” Others say it was merely his way to show his enthusiastic support.

What is known is that Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration because it was his right as the president of the Continental Congress. And, as president, his signature was centered below the text. Then, it was customary for the other delegates to sign at the right, below the text, in geographical order of the states they represented.

Hancock had a big personality. His friend, Samuel Adams, was supposedly concerned about his "conspicuous lifestyle." According to the Constitution Center, he may have been the richest man in New England when he inherited his shipping fortune. He was super smart, graduating Harvard at 17, and stood with the patriots despite his elite, Loyalist social status.

​All in all, his signature is elegant, big and bold- just like he was.

At the time, the saying went, “a good hand was the sign of a good man.” I suggest you celebrate Hancock and handwriting and show us what a good (wo)man you are! Write away!