May 10, 1775

Second Continental Congress Convenes

In Philadelphia, delegates to the Second Continental Congress meet (Georgia remains absent) and again elect Peyton Randolph its President. They also resolve to put the colonies into a state of defense, petition the Canadian colonies to join the cause, and, on July 6, adopt the "Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms," drafted by John Dickinson and Thomas Jefferson.

Browse Content By Theme