Continental Congress - Timeline

Timeline

1774

• September 5: First Continental Congress convened at Philadelphia’s Carpenter's Hall.
• October 14: Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress adopted
• October 18: Continental Association adopted
• October 25: First Petition to the King signed
• October 26: Congress adjourned, resolving to reconvene the following May if grievances are not redressed

1775

• April 19: War began at the Battles of Lexington and Concord
• May 10: Second Continental Congress convened at Philadelphia’s State House.
• June 14: Congress established the Continental Army
• June 15: Congress appointed one of its members, George Washington, as commander of the Continental Army
• July 1: King George III Addresses Parliament stating they will "put a speedy end" to the rebellion
• July 6: Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms approved
• July 8: Second petition to the king (the Olive Branch Petition) signed
• October 13: Congress established the Continental Navy
• November 10: Congress established the Continental Marines

1776

• January 10: Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense
• July 2: Resolution of independence adopted, asserting the independence of the colonies from Britain
• July 4: Final text of the United States Declaration of Independence approved
• August 2: Declaration of Independence signed in Congress
• December 12: Congress adjourns to move to Baltimore, Maryland.
• December 20: Congress convenes in Baltimore at Henry Fite’s House.

1777

• February 27: Congress adjourns to return to Philadelphia.
• March 4: Congress reconvenes at Philadelphia’s State House.
• September 18: Congress adjourns in order to move to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
• September 27: Congress convenes for one day in Lancaster, at the Court House.
• September 30: Congress reconvenes at York, Pennsylvania at the Court House.
• November 15: Congress issues the Articles of Confederation to the states for approval

1778

• June 27: Congress adjourns to return to Philadelphia.
• July 2: Congress reconvenes in Philadelphia, first at College Hall, then at the State House.

1781

• March 1: Articles of Confederation go into effect, Congress becomes the Congress of the Confederation.

1783

• June 21: Congress adjourns to move to Princeton, New Jersey.
• June 30: Congress reconvenes in Princeton, New Jersey, first at a house named “Prospect,” then Nassau Hall.
• November 4: Congress adjourns to move to Annapolis, Maryland.
• November 26: Congress reconvenes at Annapolis, in the State House.

1784

• August 19: Congress adjourns to move to Trenton, New Jersey.
• November 1: Congress reconvenes at Trenton, at the French Arms Tavern.
• December 24: Congress adjourns to move to New York City

1785

• January 11: Congress reconvenes in New York City, first at City Hall, then at Fraunces Tavern.

1787

• September 17: Philadelphia Convention adjourns after writing the United States Constitution

1788

• July 2: New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the US Constitution, thereby allowing for the creation of the new government.
• July 8: Continental Congress puts the new Constitution into effect by announcing the dates for the elections and the assembly of the new Congress.
• October 10: The last session during which the Continental Congress succeeded in achieving a quorum. The Continental Congress passed its last act on this date.

1789

• March 2: Last session of the Continental Congress at Fraunces Tavern is adjourned sine die. Philip Pell of New York was the sole member in attendance.
• March 4: First session of the 1st United States Congress begins at Federal Hall.
• April 30: George Washington inaugurated as first President of the United States.
• July 23: Charles Thomson transmitted to President Washington his resignation of the office of Secretary of Congress.
• July 25: In accordance with President Washington's directions, "the books, records, and papers of the late Congress, the Great Seal of the Federal Union, and the Seal of the Admiralty" were delivered over to Roger Alden, deputy secretary of the new Congress, who had been designated by President Washington as custodian for the time being.