The Declaration of Independence was signed in the Pennsylvania State House, which is now known as Independence Hall, located in Philadelphia. This building was the meeting place of the Second Continental Congress, where the Declaration was debated and adopted

. The official signing began on August 2, 1776, although the Declaration was adopted on July 4, 1776. John Hancock, as President of the Congress, was the first to sign the engrossed copy of the Declaration at Independence Hall. The other delegates signed by state delegation, arranged geographically from northernmost New Hampshire to southernmost Georgia, following a custom of signing on the right below the text

. Thus, the signing took place within the legislative body of the Second Continental Congress, inside the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia