America’s Four United Republics (AFUR) presents the idea that the United States evolved through four distinct constitutional republics, each marking a separate phase in its political development and national identity.
I. The United Colonies Continental Congress (UCCC)
Convened by twelve colonies on September 5, 1774, in response to mounting British aggression, the United Colonies Continental Congress governed without a formal constitution and dissolved with the passage of the Resolution for Independency on July 2, 1776, which declared the colonies “free and independent states.”
During its brief but transformative existence, the UCCC laid the foundation of national governance. It organized the Continental Army, established a postal system, appointed foreign envoys, and issued its own currency. Peyton Randolph of Virginia served as its first President, and George Washington was appointed as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.
II. The United States Continental Congress (USCC)
The United States Continental Congress was formally constituted by the Resolution for Independency on July 2, 1776, and remained the governing authority until February 28, 1781, when the Articles of Confederation took effect.
Operating without a binding constitution, the Congress functioned through its own enacted resolutions. Each state possessed one vote, and official action could proceed with as few as seven states represented—only one delegate per state being required to cast that vote. John Hancock of Massachusetts served as the first President of the United States Continental Congress, while George Washington continued as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental forces.
III. The United States in Congress Assembled (USCA)
The United States in Congress Assembled came into being with the ratification of the Articles of Confederation on March 1, 1781, uniting all thirteen states under the nation’s first written constitution. This government presided over the republic until March 3, 1789, the day before the current Constitution took effect.
Under the Articles, important measures required the concurrence of at least nine states, each represented by a minimum of two delegates. Any amendment to the Articles demanded unanimous consent. Samuel Huntington of Connecticut served as the first President of the USCA, while George Washington continued as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.
IV. The United States Congress (1789–Present)
The United States Congress, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, was established under the Constitution of 1787, which took effect on March 4, 1789, following ratification by eleven states.
This fourth republic endures today under the same living Constitution, amended twenty-seven times, forming the framework of American government. Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania became the first Speaker of the House, Vice President John Adams presided as the first President of the Senate, and John Jay served as the first Chief Justice of the United States. George Washington, unanimously chosen by the Electoral College, was inaugurated as the first President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief under the new federal system.
September 5, 1774 | October 22, 1774 | |
October 22, 1774 | October 26, 1774 | |
May 20, 1775 | May 24, 1775 | |
May 25, 1775 | July 1, 1776 |
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781
July 2, 1776 | October 29, 1777 | |
November 1, 1777 | December 9, 1778 | |
December 10, 1778 | September 28, 1779 | |
September 29, 1779 | February 28, 1781 |
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781 | July 6, 1781 | |
July 10, 1781 | Declined Office | |
July 10, 1781 | November 4, 1781 | |
November 5, 1781 | November 3, 1782 | |
November 4, 1782 | November 2, 1783 | |
November 3, 1783 | June 3, 1784 | |
November 30, 1784 | November 22, 1785 | |
November 23, 1785 | June 5, 1786 | |
June 6, 1786 | February 1, 1787 | |
February 2, 1787 | January 21, 1788 | |
January 22, 1788 | January 21, 1789 |
Commander-in-Chief United States of America
United States in Congress Assembled (USCA) Sessions
USCA | Session Dates | USCA Convene Date | President(s) |
First | 03-01-1781 to 11-04-1781* | 03-02-1781 | |
Second | 11-05-1781 to 11-03-1782 | 11-05-1781 | |
Third | 11-04-1782 to 11-02-1783 | 11-04-1782 | |
Fourth | 11-03-1783 to 10-31-1784 | 11-03-1783 | |
Fifth | 11-01-1784 to 11-06-1785 | 11-29-1784 | |
Sixth | 11-07-1785 to 11-05-1786 | 11-23-1785 | |
Seventh | 11-06-1786 to 11-04-1787 | 02-02-1787 | |
Eighth | 11-05-1787 to 11-02-1788 | 01-21-1788 | |
Ninth | 11-03-1788 to 03-03-1789** | None | None |
* The Articles of Confederation was ratified by the mandated 13th State on February 2, 1781, and the dated adopted by the Continental Congress to commence the new United States in Congress Assembled government was March 1, 1781. The USCA convened under the Articles of Confederation Constitution on March 2, 1781.** On September 14, 1788, the Eighth United States in Congress Assembled resolved that March 4th, 1789, would be commencement date of the Constitution of 1787's federal government thus dissolving the USCA on March 3rd, 1789.
Philadelphia | Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 24, 1774 | |
Philadelphia | May 10, 1775 to Dec. 12, 1776 | |
Baltimore | Dec. 20, 1776 to Feb. 27, 1777 | |
Philadelphia | March 4, 1777 to Sept. 18, 1777 | |
Lancaster | September 27, 1777 | |
York | Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778 | |
Philadelphia | July 2, 1778 to June 21, 1783 | |
Princeton | June 30, 1783 to Nov. 4, 1783 | |
Annapolis | Nov. 26, 1783 to Aug. 19, 1784 | |
Trenton | Nov. 1, 1784 to Dec. 24, 1784 | |
New York City | Jan. 11, 1785 to Nov. 13, 1788 | |
New York City | October 6, 1788 to March 3,1789 | |
New York City | March 3,1789 to August 12, 1790 | |
Philadelphia | Dec. 6,1790 to May 14, 1800 | |
Washington DC | November 17,1800 to Present |
Secure a unique primary source exhibit and a professional speaker for your next event by reaching out to Historic.us today. Serving a wide range of clients—including Fortune 500 companies, associations, nonprofits, colleges, universities, national conventions, and PR and advertising agencies—we are a premier national exhibitor of primary sources. Our engaging and educational historic displays are crafted to captivate and inform your audience, creating a memorable experience. Join our roster of satisfied clients and see how Historic.us can elevate your event. Contact us to explore options tailored to your audience and objectives!
202-239-1774 | Office
