Continental Congress adopted Declaration of Independence

Continental Congress adopted Declaration of Independence

July 4, 2009 03:00:00 am

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence separating the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain.

Learn more about Independence Day from the Library of Congress.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Warsaw Pact signed

On May 14, 1955, seven communist countries in Eastern Europe (Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland Romania, and the USSR) signed the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance (Warsaw Pact), a mutual defense accord created to counter NATO in the West. East Germany joined in 1959. Albania left in 1968.

Delegates gathered in Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention

On May 14, 1787, delegates from each state begin to arrive in Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention.

The last delegates arrived 10 days later, on May 24. Learn more about the Constitutional Convention.