As President of Congress John Hancock had the opportunity to be the first one to sign the Declaration of Independence. After the Battles of Lexington and Concord, John Hancock and other members headed to Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress. 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
The Second Continental Congress came together on May 10, 1775, effectively reconvening the First Continental Congress. Many of the 56 delegates who attended the first meeting were in attendance at the second, and the delegates appointed the same president (Peyton Randolph) and secretary (Charles Thomson). read more