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John Hancock (1737-1793) was a patriot of the American Revolution, best remembered as president of the Second Continental Congress. He is remembered for his large and stylish signature on the Declaration of Independence, so much so that the term "John Hancock" has become a synonym for a personal signature ("just put your John Hancock there.")
Hancock has often been portrayed in Muppet/Sesame Street depictions of American history, usually presiding over often chaotic assemblages of fellow Founding Fathers. In print media and merchandise, his signature becomes the focal point: The Sesame Street 1976 Calendar (which, in an American history alphabet, uses Hancock's signature for D, Declaration of Independence) and The Sesame Street Dictionary (1980), where for the alternative definition of "sign" (to write one's name), a Twiddlebug as Hancock leaves the famous signature. In B is for Books! (1996), while Hancock is not explicitly identified among the Muppets present (and thus possibly not depicted), his signature is clearly legible on the Declaration.
In the 2018 Muppet Babies episode "Piggy's Time Machine," the babies appear over John Trumbull's painting of the Declaration signing, with Hancock seated. A voice says "I'll just need your John Hancock right here."
