The House of Burgesses was the first representative assembly in colonial America, and a precursor to the modern concept of democracy. It was created by Governor George Yeardley in 1619, following instructions from the Virginia Company, the joint-stock enterprise that founded and governed the colony. The House of Burgesses consisted of 22 elected delegates from 11 settlements, who met with the governor and his council to enact laws and taxes for the colony (McIlwaine & Kennedy, 1910). The House of Burgesses gave the colonists a voice and a stake in their own affairs, and also served as a training ground for future leaders such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry. The House of Burgesses also challenged the authority of the British crown and Parliament on several occasions, such as when it passed resolutions against taxation without representation and against slavery in 1765 and 1773 respectively. The House of Burgesses was dissolved by Governor Dunmore in 1774, after it endorsed the First Continental Congress. However, it continued to meet as a revolutionary body until 1776, when it adopted a declaration of rights and a constitution for the new state of Virginia (McIlwaine & Kennedy, 1910).The Virginia Company created the House of Burgesses in 1619 as part of its reforms to improve the governance and administration of Virginia. The House consisted of 22 representatives chosen by the free male inhabitants of 11 districts or boroughs in Virginia. The House met for the first time in 1619, at Jamestown (McIlwaine & Kennedy, 1910). The House of Burgesses initially had limited powers and authority, as it was subordinate to the governor appointed by the Virginia Company and subject to its approval and veto. However, over time, the House gained more autonomy and influence over local affairs, such as taxation, laws, defense, and trade. The House also became a forum for expressing grievances and opinions against the policies and actions of the Virginia Company and, later, the crown (McIlwaine & Kennedy, 1910). The House of Burgesses was an essential milestone in the history of Virginia and America, as it represented an early form of self-government and democracy in the colonies. It also reflected the political culture and values of Virginians, who valued liberty, representation, and consent. The House of Burgesses was a model and inspiration for other colonial assemblies and later for state legislatures and Congress.