The First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in 1774, with 12 of the original 13 colonies in attendance, and agreed to a boycott of British goods. Louis XVI became king of France, beginning a reign that would end in 1793 with the French Revolution and his execution by guillotine. In England, scientist, philosopher and theologian Joseph Priestly discovered oxygen gas as one component of air.
Apr
05
Sep
05
In response to the British Parliament’s enactment of the Coercive Acts in the American colonies, the first session of the Continental Congress convenes at Carpenter’s Hall in Philadelphia. Fifty-six delegates from all the colonies except Georgia drafted a declaration of rights and grievances and elected Virginian Peyton Randolph as the first president of Congress. Patrick Henry, George Washington, John Adams and John Jay were among the delegates.
The first Continental Congress met in Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia to define American rights and organize a plan of resistance to the Coercive Acts imposed by the British Parliament.
MPI/Getty Images
Oct
20
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