The Second Continental Congress ordered Mary Katharine Goddard to print an authenticated copy of the Declaration of Independence.
On January 18, 1777, the Second Continental Congress ordered the printing of an authenticated copy of the Declaration of Independence, a task entrusted to Mary Katharine Goddard. This directive marked a key moment in American history, featuring the signers’ names for the first time. Goddard's resulting broadside served a dual purpose: as an authentic reproduction for official archives and as a persuasive instrument for rallying continued support for the Revolutionary cause. Her vital contribution ensured the words and signatures of the founding fathers reached audiences across the young nation.