The Continental Congress

 

Three Centuries of Self-Governance

 

"In free governments, the rulers are the servants, and the people their superiors and sovereigns."
— Benjamin Franklin

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I. The First Continental Congress​

1774

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The First Continental Congress (1774) marked the beginning of unified American self-governance, inspiring a legacy of liberty and collective action that endures to this day. While not a formal government in the modern sense, it was an assembly of delegates chosen by the people, united in peaceful resistance to injustice and committed to defending liberty, justice, and the right of self-determination. Its convening established a lawful precedent for citizens to gather in common cause, independent of any existing governmental authority. It represents an early example of self-governance, as the colonies organized themselves to deliberate and act collectively on matters affecting their communities.​

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II. The Second Continental Congress​

1775-1781

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The Second Continental Congress (1775–1781) built upon the foundation laid by the First, guiding the colonies through the American Revolution, adopting the Declaration of Independence, and drafting the Articles of Confederation, while laying the groundwork for the origin of the nation’s three branches of government. While it exercised wartime administrative authority, it remained rooted in the people’s right to assemble, deliberate, and act collectively in the public interest. This tradition, born in times of crisis, affirmed that the power to deliberate and decide in matters of liberty rests first and foremost with the people themselves, through voluntary delegates—the essence of self-governance.​

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III. The Third Continental Congress​​​​

2026​

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The Continental Congress of the United States of America—styled the Civic Congress—shall unofficially commence its third term during the anniversary year of 2026, in the lead-up to and following the 250th anniversary of Independence. Meetings will occur predominantly online at civiccongress.us and associated social media platforms, using #CivicCongress (@civiccongress) to ensure continuous participation regardless of location. Optional in-person gatherings will include nationwide Liberty Tree Gatherings (e.g., direct democracy meetings, traditional Fourth of July picnics) and sessions at historically significant sites (e.g., Wuksachi Lodge, Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park, California), held at the discretion of participating Civic Delegates and Civic Delegations. The year-long, unofficial nature of this term reflects the understanding that meaningful civic engagement and a direct democracy movement require continuous, ongoing participation, rather than single-day events. This structure allows members to collaborate, deliberate, and act throughout the anniversary year, building momentum for civic action and community involvement. As a non-governmental, voluntary, private association operating under the rights of free speech, assembly, and petition, the Civic Congress shall formally recognize the official session on July 4, 2026, commemorating the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence. Ceremonial and public-facing activities will be conducted online and, optionally, in-person. This term continues the longstanding practice of direct democracy assemblies, while remaining subject to adoption, amendment, or replacement by the people. All actions, resolutions, and declarations of the Civic Congress are symbolic and have no governmental or legal authority.​

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