Sept. 5, 1774: The first Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia

Sunday 5 September 2010

The first meeting of the Continental Congress took place at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia in response to the Coercive Acts enacted by the British Parliament. During the meeting, 56 delegates from the colonies drafted a declaration of rights and elected Peyton Randolph of Virginia as the first president of Congress.

The Parliament enacted the Coercive Acts in response to the Boston Tea Party, which was seen as an American rebellion to British rule. On July 4, 1776, in the midst of the American Revolution, the Continental Congress met for a second time to adopt the Declaration of Independence.