Historical Research Library

Discover the people, events, and key documents that shaped the Founding Era.

Singers and dancers focused on Chris Jackson playing George Washington

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"First Continental Congress," by Allyn Cox, 1974 (Architect of the Capitol)

First Continental Congress, 1774

A gathering of American colonial delegates in Philadelphia to address grievances against British rule and advocate for colonial rights

Event

New York African Free-School No. 2, based on a drawing by a student, from The History of the New-York African Free-School, by Charles C. Andrews, 1830 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Founding the New-York Manumission Society, 1785

Establishing an organization to advocate gradual abolition of slavery, educate free Black people, and prevent them from being sold into slavery

Event