The Declaration of Independence created the United States in 1776. The document stated the purpose of the new nation: to be a free country, independent from England. But before that, there was an important meeting that made it all happen. The Second Continental Congress began 250 years ago on May 10, 1775. That's where leaders wrote the Declaration of Independence.
“The Second Continental Congress was perhaps the most governmental body in modern world history!” explained historian Louis Picone. “Just by meeting, the were committing a crime,” he told News-O-Matic. Before the formation of the United States, the area was a group of colonies controlled by England. The colonists were supposed to follow the king's rules, and a meeting like this was definitely not allowed.
The First Continental Congress met for several weeks in 1774. The Second Continental Congress, however, lasted for more than a year. It began in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania State House — now called Independence Hall — only a few weeks after the first shots of the were fired at Lexington and Concord.
“The first vote held by the Second Continental Congress occurred on June 15, 1775,” said Picone. The delegates all voted for George Washington to lead the American army. “It would prove to be one of the most significant decisions in American history,” Picone added.
After he accepted his post, Washington left Philadelphia for Boston, Massachusetts. But before he arrived, the Americans fought the British at the Battle of Bunker Hill — and lost.
Picone explained that the Second Continental Congress began their meeting with a goal of avoiding war. However, the expert said that “over time, the discussion in Philadelphia changed from restoring peace with England to declaring independence from England.”
With that goal in mind, members of the Congress began the work of creating a declaration of American independence. Thomas Jefferson penned the document in June 1776, after which other representatives suggested changes. The Congress as a whole discussed and voted on the declaration on July 2. The group it on July 4 — the day generally considered the birthday of the United States.
“It was one of the most important days in the history of the modern world,” said Picone. “Not only did the delegates of the Second Continental Congress create a new country, but they created a new kind of country — a democratic republic. Instead of a king or queen who ruled as they liked and for as long as they lived, in the United States of America, the people chose their leaders and had a say in the laws of the new country.”
The Americans fought for independence from the British until the Treaty of Paris officially ended the war on September 3, 1783. As for the Second Continental Congress, Picone said it “never ” and became the federal government. The expert added, “The American government survived the Revolution, the Civil War, two World Wars, and — after 250 years — still endures today.”
By Diana Richard
Updated May 12, 2025, 5:00 P.M. (ET)
