How many delegates met during the First Continental Congress?

The First Continental Congress, which convened in September 1774 in Philadelphia, included representatives from 12 of the 13 colonies. These delegates gathered to address colonial grievances over British policies, particularly in response to the Intolerable Acts. The importance of the Congress lay in its ability to unify the colonies and create a collective response to British rule.

The colonies that participated were: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Georgia did not send delegates at that time.

The significance of having 12 delegates is not just in the number itself, but in the representation of almost all the colonies at a pivotal moment in American history, signaling the beginnings of a united front against British authority. This Congress set the stage for further collaboration among the colonies, ultimately leading to the Second Continental Congress and the fight for independence.