Nassau Hall was erected in 1756 by the College of New Jersey and named in honor of King William III. British forces seized the building for military purposes in 1776, and the American Army retook it on January 3, 1777. From June 30, 1783 until Nov. 4, 1788, the Continental Congress met there, and on Aug. 26, 1783, General Washington received the grateful acknowledgements of Congress for his services in establishing the freedom and independence of the United States of America.