Suffering from a palsy, Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations used his left hand to steady the quill in his right as he signed the most famous document in American history. He remarked as he did so, "My hand trembles, but my heart does not." Hopkins served Rhode Island as governor, as a Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, and as a delegate to both the First and Second Continental Congress. He, with William Ellery, signed the Declaration of Independence as a representative of the state. Hopkin's house, seen in today's photo, stands on the corner of Benefit Street and Hopkins Street in Providence, overlooking the city his great grandfather helped found a century earlier. Ill health forced the statesman to retire from Congress in late 1776, although he remained active in local politics until his death in this very house on July 13, 1785. He is buried in the North Burial Ground about a mile from this site.
Post processing started with a Detail Light filter in Topaz Adjust. I then adjusted the levels slightly in PSE. The contrast in the sky was adjusted using a blue to white gradient map in soft-light blend mode.
I believe my heart would be aflutter if I were signing a document that changed the course of history! Great historic shot commemorating our nation's birthday! Nice contrast of past and present.
