2: Lee Resolution (also known as "The Resolution for Independence"), asserting the independence of the 13 colonies from Great Britain, is adopted July 4: Final text of the Declaration of Independence is adopted July 12: John Dickinson presents the Committee of Thirteen's draft constitution to Congress August 2: Delegates sign an engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence December 12: Congress adjourns to move to Baltimore, Maryland December 20: Congress convenes in Baltimore at the Henry Fite House 1777 February 27: Congress adjourns to return to Philadelphia March 4: Congress reconvenes at Philadelphia's State House June 14: Flag Resolution, defining the design of the flag of the United States of America, is adopted September 18: Congress adjourns in order to move to Lancaster, Pennsylvania September 27: Congress convenes for one day in Lancaster, at the Court House September 30: Congress reconvenes at York, Pennsylvania at the Court House November 15: Final text of the Articles of Confederation is approved and sent to the states for ratification 1778 June 27: Congress adjourns to return to Philadelphia July 2: Congress reconvenes in Philadelphia, first at College Hall, then at the State House 1780 January 15: Congress establishes the Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture 1781 March 1: Having been ratified by all 13 states, the Articles of Confederation becomes effective; Continental Congress becomes the Congress of the Confederation May 26: Proposed plan from Robert Morris to establish Bank of North America approved by Congress October 17: Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia December 31: Bank of North America chartered by Congress 1783 June 21: The Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783 forces congress to flee Philadelphia. June 30: Congress reconvenes in Princeton, New Jersey, first at a house named "Prospect," then Nassau Hall November 4: Congress adjourns to move to Annapolis, Maryland November 26: Congress reconvenes at Annapolis, in the State House December 23: George Washington resigns from the Army 1784 January 14: The Treaty of Paris is ratified May 7: Thomas Jefferson is appointed as a minister to France August 19: Congress adjourns to move to Trenton, New Jersey November 1: Congress reconvenes at Trenton, at the French Arms Tavern December 24: Congress adjourns to move to New York City 1785 January 11: Congress reconvenes in New York City, first at City Hall, then at Fraunces Tavern March 25–28: Maryland–Virginia Conference held at Mount Vernon March 28: Mount Vernon Compact is signed