From 1772 to 1774 the American colonies began moving toward some form of intercolonial cooperation. As the events of '73 rapidly pushed public opinion toward unification, John Hancock proposed a general congress of all colonies. No sooner had he done so than Parliament closed the Boston port as a result of the "tea party." This punitive measure prohibited the loading and unloading of ships except for food and fuel shipped locally. The colonies were collectively infuriated. The Virginia House of Burgesses called for a day of fasting. Immediately the royal governor dissolved the assembly. Meeting unofficially, however, on May 27, the Virginia delegates declared "that an attack made on one of our sister colonies is an attack made on all British America and threatens ruin to the rights of all." It went even further and called for the colonies to meet in congress "at such place annually, as should be convenient to direct from time to time the measures required by the general interest." The foundation was laid. The First Conti nental Congress convened in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774. Some of the names that met that day--Silas Deane, Connecticut; John Adams, Massachusets; Samuel Chase, Maryland; John Sullivan, New Hampshire; Stephen Hopkins, Rhode Island, and Peyton Randolph, Virginia.

First Continental Congress
September 5, 1774-October 6, 1774 Philadelphia

Second Continental Congress
May 10, 1775-March 2, 1781 Philadelphia, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Lancaster, York, Philadelphia.

Congress fled Philadelphia twice, December 12, 1776 and Septeber 19, 1777 due to the threat of the British army.

The United States in Congress Assembled
March 3, 1781-March 2 1789
Princeton, Annapolis, Trenton, New York City

First United States Congress
March 4, 1789-November 17, 1800 New York City, Washington, D.C.