As President of the Continental Congress during two widely spaced terms — the first from May 24 1775 to October 30 1777 and the second from November 23, 1785 to June 5, 1786 — Hancock was the presiding officer when the members approved the Declaration of Independence. read more
John Jay (president of the Continental Congress, 1778-1779) served as the first Chief Justice of the United States, John Hancock (president twice, under both pre-1789 systems) served as Governor of Massachusetts, and Thomas McKean (president under the Articles, 1781) served as Governor of Pennsylvania. read more
The president of the Continental Congress was the presiding officer of the Continental Congress, the convention of delegates that emerged as the first (transitional) national government of the United States during the American Revolution. read more