John Hancock

  • Birth

    John Hancock was born in Braintree, Massachusetts.
  • Graduation

    John Hancock graduated from Harvard at the age of 17!
  • John's ship seized

    John's ship, the Liberty, was seized by the British, who accused John of tax fraud. The colonists were enraged by this, because they respected John. The colonists had such high respect for John because he donated large sums of money to the American Revolution.
  • President of Continental Congress

    Hancock was elected President of the Second Continental Congress. In later years during Hancock's presidency, the Declaration of Independence was signed and America became an independent nation.
  • Marriage

    On top of all his Continental Congress Presidential duties, Hancock married Dorth Quincy in 1775.
  • Evading Arrest

    Paul Revere made his famous ride to Lexington, Massachusetts to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams that the British were coming for them. The British wanted John because he was such an influential man to the colonists.
  • Declaration Of Independece

    John Hancock, as President of the Continental Congress, was the very first to sign the document on this day.
  • Governor

    Hancock was elected as governor of Massachusetts in 1780.
  • Governor

    John Hancock did such a good job the first time around, that the people re-elected him in 1787. He served right up until his death.
  • Death

    John Hancock died at age 56 of natural causes.