Leading up to the Revolutionary War, the First Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia in 1774. It would also be the city where the Declaration of Independence was written two years later in 1776. During the war, Philadelphia played a critical role and was described by Robert Morris as being the “heart” of the United States.
Unfortunately, during the war, Philadelphia was occupied by the British after General George Washington was routed at the battles of Princeton and Trenton, but the city was liberated when the French joined the war and sided with the Continentals against the British.