— signatures on the Roll
— toward the next milestone
Why these numbers
17 — the year 1776 opens with 17. The first seventeen are recorded here as the site's foundational signatories, comparable to the fifty-six who signed the Declaration.
76 — the year 1776 closes with 76. The first seventy-six earn a permanent mention on the milestones page and the Founders' Room home.
176 — the year read straight through, 1-7-6. At this signature count the Roll becomes big enough for a proper state-by-state view.
1,776 — the full anniversary count. When the site reaches 1,776 signatories, a print facsimile of the Roll goes out to every signatory.