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Second Continental Congress & Declaration of Independence

On the Eve of the American Revolution - A Series

Looking to learn more about the American Revolution? Join us for a virtual presentation! Dr. Jim Gibb will discuss the archaeology of the Declaration of Independence, with a focus on Maryland.

In this series of presentations, we'll uncover the stories of the American Revolution!

From January through June, we will explore the individual actions and events leading to the Continental Congress declaring independence from Great Britain. Living conditions in Colonial Maryland on the eve of the Seven Years War (French & Indian War) provides our starting point. Presentations will include some archaeological findings in Maryland and elsewhere, but most of our discussions will examine specific events and documents, including shots fired at Lexington and Concord, removal of French Canadians from Acadia, paintings of the Anglo-American assault on French Canada, and the Declaration.

On August 23, 1775, King George III declared that parts of Britian’s American colonies were in "open & avowed rebellion." A running battle between British regular troops and Massachusetts militia groups occurred months earlier resulting in significant casualties on both sides. Colonial resolutions of non-importation and polite petitions, and sternly worded Parliamentary acts, became moot. Congress had to organize and equip an army, create and staff foreign embassies, and organize and implement the basic functions of government, including raising money for doing so and without a monarch. This talk explores the initial part of an experiment that continues to this day.

This presentation will be held live over Zoom. It will also be recorded and uploaded to the St. Mary's County Library YouTube channel.

If you would like to attend this event live and/or watch the recording, please register with an email address to receive the Zoom link the day before the event. The YouTube link to the recording will be emailed to everyone who registers for this program.

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