Second Continental Congress Timeline of Events

Home / Timelines / Second Continental Congress

Second Continental Congress

The Second Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that started meeting on May 10, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, soon after warfare in the American Revolutionary War had begun. It succeeded the First Continental Congress, which met briefly during 1774, also in Philadelphia...

Timeline of Events

1775

5.10.1775

American Revolutionary War: Representatives from the Thirteen Colonies begin the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

7.26.1775

The office that would later become the United States Post Office Department is established by the Second Continental Congress.

1776

4.12.1776

American Revolution: With the Halifax Resolves, the North Carolina Provincial Congress authorizes its Congressional delegation to vote for independence from Britain.

7.2.1776

The Continental Congress adopts a resolution severing ties with Great Britain although the wording of the formal Declaration of Independence is not approved until July 4.

7.4.1776

American Revolution: The United States Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Second Continental Congress.

1777

7.31.1777

The U.S. Second Continental Congress passes a resolution that the services of Marquis de Lafayette "be accepted, and that, in consideration of his zeal, illustrious family and connexions, he have the rank and commission of major-general of the United States."