Mass communication, 1776 style

John Dunlap (1747-1812) is rarely included in lists of America's founding fathers, which is really a shame.

The Philadelphia printer may not have been a decorated military hero.

And, he wasn't a member of the Continental Congress.

But, he did take Thomas Jefferson's handwritten original of our Declaration of Independence, and put it into print.

It was on this date back in 1776 that John Hancock ordered copies of Dunlap's broadsides be distributed to all the political and military leaders in the 13 original colonies, to be read to the general public and our service men.

So, remember, ye socks, Benjamin Franklin wasn't the only printer from Philadelphia to help birth our nation.