January 23
JOHN HANCOCK DAY
John Hancock, statesman and patriot, was born in Braintree, Massachusetts in 1737. Although major sources state that John Hancock was born on January 12 of that year, others were so sure his birthday was on January 23 that it was designated as National Handwriting Day in his honor. In 1985, the National Writing Instrument Manufacturer’s Association set this day to promote legible handwriting. The Association selected the day they believed to be John Hancock’s birthday.
Mr. Hancock, as the President of the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1777, was the first to put his signature on the Declaration of Independence. Hancock reportedly said, “I’ll sign it in letters bold enough so the King of England can see it without his spectacles on!” And he did. We still refer to this momentous event whenever we sign a document, “I’ll put my John Hancock on it.”
Hancock first gained fame as a patriot when one of his ships, Liberty, landed in Boston with a cargo of wine. The crew, having locked the British customs officer in a cabin, unloaded the wine without paying duty. The British seized the ship and filed suit against Hancock. Colonists rioted, the British sent troops to quell the disturbance. Hancock won the suit and became very popular with the colonists and extremely unpopular with the British. Seven years later, he again escaped the wrath of the British when Paul Revere heralded the red coats’ arrival. John Hancock later became the first governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a position he held until his death in 1793.
His signing of the Declaration of Independence was not only bold and legible; it was a commentary on Hancock’s political position.
And we’re signing off...
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