Benjamin Franklin wasn't trusted to write the Declaration of Independence! The reason why is surprising
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The Declaration of Independence is without a doubt one of the most famous documents in American history. Though it's known that Thomas Jefferson is the one who penned it, Benjamin Franklin was originally supposed to be its writer!
Why wasn't he? Benjamin Franklin was well-known for putting a lot of subtle humor in his papers. Knowing that many nations would read as a important a document as the Declaration of Independence, it was decided that Thomas Jefferson should write it instead.
However, Benjamin Franklin did help draft it, and he was the oldest person to sign the document at 70 years old!