Second+Continental+Congress

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The Second Continental Congress started on May 10, 1775. The delegates of the 13 colonies gathered in Philadelphia to discuss their next steps towards defying the British. They met at the State House in Philadelphia. There were several new delegates there including John Hancock from Massachusetts, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, and Benjamin Franklin from Pennsylvania.



The meeting started with the battle of Lexington and Concord fresh in their memories. The New England militia were still encamped outside of Boston trying to drive the British soldiers out. The Congress established the militia as the Continental Army to represent the thirteen states. They also elected George Washington as Commander in Chief of this army. The second congress moved incrementally towards independence, adopting the United States Declaration of Independence.

The United States Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at war with Great Britain, were now independent states, and thus no longer a part of the British Empire.

April 1775- The British government had ignored the first Congress, then a fight broke out between Massachusetts farmers and British troops at Lexington and Concord.
 * Timeline**

May 10, 1775- The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia

June 16- An army was organized, and George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief**.**

July 8, 1775- The congress issued a declaration setting forth the need to take up arms and the reasons for doing so.

July 10, 1775- The congress made a final, futile appeal to the king in an effort to right matters without additional fighting.

July 4, 1776**-** The Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.

March 1, 1781- Maryland became the last of the states to ratify the Articles of Confederation. After ratification, the Congress was known as the Congress of the Confederation, but many people cont



To learn more on the Second Continental Congress visit this page [|Second Continental Congress] You can also view this video [|Second Continental Congress members video]