Old Congress Hall in Baltimore, Maryland Metal Ornament

The meeting of the Continental Congress in Baltimore in 1776 was a pivotal event in the early days of the American Revolutionary War and played a crucial role in shaping the course of the war and the future of the United States. Faced with the increasing hostilities with Great Britain and the desire for independence, the Continental Congress convened in Baltimore at the Maryland State House from December 20, 1776, to February 27, 1777. During this time, delegates from the thirteen American colonies gathered to discuss and debate important matters, including the adoption of the Articles of Confederation, which would serve as the nation's first constitution until the adoption of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. One of the most significant outcomes of the Baltimore Congress was the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Although the Continental Congress had previously convened in Philadelphia and adopted the Lee Resolution on July 2, officially declaring independence from Britain, it was in Baltimore that they finalized and approved Thomas Jefferson's eloquent and historic draft of the Declaration of Independence. This document proclaimed the colonies' resolve to break away from British rule and articulated the principles of liberty and self-determination that would become the foundation of the United States. The Baltimore Congress's decision to formally declare independence and endorse the Declaration was a watershed moment in American history, setting the stage for the long and challenging struggle for independence that lay ahead.