Philadelphia's greatest moments of glory were from 1774 to 1800, during and just after the American Revolution. As dissatisfaction with Great Britain grew, disgruntled colonialists poured into the city for the First Continental Congress, setting out their cause in a 'Declaration of Rights.' As the conflict grew more serious, a Second Continental Congress was convened at the Pennsylvania State House, at which George Washington was chosen to be commander of the newly recruited forces. On 15 May 1776 John Adams (later to become the second US president) called for the colonies to reorganise as states independent from the Crown, and on 4 July 1776, Thomas Jefferson's 'Declaration of Independence' was read out to the public from the steps of the State House, thus formally severing ties with Great Britain.