Final answer:
The First Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia in 1774 with delegates from twelve American colonies responding to the Intolerable Acts. It marked the beginning of colonial unification against British policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The First Continental Congress was a pivotal gathering of representatives from twelve of the thirteen American colonies, with the notable exclusion of Georgia, which was prevented from sending delegates by its royal governor. The Congress convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from September 5 to October 26, 1774, as a direct response to the Intolerable Acts imposed by the British Parliament.
The session aimed to coordinate a colonial response and draft a list of grievances and rights. Notable participants included Samuel Adams, John Adams, John Jay, Joseph Galloway, John Dickinson, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. This Congress set a precedent for inter-colonial cooperation, marking a step towards unification in the face of growing hostilities between the colonies and Great Britain.
Following the session, delegates agreed to reconvene in a year's time, but before the Second Continental Congress could meet, the Revolutionary War had already begun with the clashes at Lexington and Concord.