It also became the second-largest city in the entire British Empire after London. As a result of the growing aversion to British colonial practices, ideas of independence emerged. Philadelphia became the center of American revolutionaries and hosted the First Continental Congress.
The Second Continental Congress, which united the 13 colonies, was also held in Philadelphia. He created a new country called the United Colonies. In 1776, it was renamed the United States of America. On July 2, 1776, Congress declared independence from Great Britain and unanimously agreed to the Declaration of Independence, which was signed two days later on July 4.
The day of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence became the basis for annual celebrations by Americans. In 1938, this celebration was formalized as Independence Day - one of ten designated federal holidays in the US.
