The U.S. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Continental_Congress" id="mwaw" rel="mw:WikiLink" title="Second Continental Congress">Second Continental Congress</a> passes a resolution that the services of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_du_Motier,_Marquis_de_Lafayette" id="mwbA" rel="mw:WikiLink" title="Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette">Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette</a> "be accepted, and that, in consideration of his zeal, illustrious family and connexions, he have the rank and commission of major-general of the United States."