As president of the Continental Congress, John Hancock was the only delegate to sign the Declaration of Independence when it was adopted by the Congress on July 4, 1776. Congress modified the document, Hancock re-wrote it to include the revisions, signed, and distributed copies to the various colonies and the army. The other signitures came later.
See this site and read more about that famous signiture:
http://www.snopes.com/history/American/Hancock.asp
Declaration of Independence
The important historical document that John Hancock is known for signing is the Declaration of Independence of the British Colonies in America.
"John Hancock" is presumably the problematic term in that phrase, the rest of it is pretty straightforward. "John Hancock" is slang for "signature", coming from the very prominent signature of John Hancock on the US Declaration of Independence. The John Hancock Life Insurance company had a commercial jingle featuring the line "put your John Hancock on the John Hancock".
John Hancock (1737-1793), orphaned as a boy, was adopted by a rich uncle who had no children of his own. Hancock is best remembered for his large, flamboyant signature on the Declaration of Independence.
John Hancock, was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence.
John Hancock's signature is the largest on the Declaration of Independence.
Declaration of Independence
John Hancock.
John Hancock was the President of the Continental Congress and the first to sign the Declaration of Independence.
John Hancock was one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence. His signature appears very large because he was very proud.
John Hancock
John Hancock
John Hancock
For his signature on the Declaration of Independence.
john Hancock
john Hancock
The important historical document that John Hancock is known for signing is the Declaration of Independence of the British Colonies in America.