What was the US capital before Washington DC?
The capital of the United States has undergone a significant transformation throughout its history. Before the establishment of Washington DC, the capital of the United States was located in three different cities. This article delves into the fascinating history of the US capital before Washington DC, highlighting the cities that once held this prestigious title.>
The first capital of the United States was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, and it became the temporary capital of the new nation. Philadelphia played a crucial role in the early days of the United States, hosting the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.
In 1789, when George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States, Philadelphia continued to serve as the capital. However, it was clear that a more permanent and central location was needed for the nation’s capital. As a result, the federal government moved to New York City in 1789, which became the second capital of the United States.
New York City remained the capital for a brief period, from 1789 to 1790. During this time, the federal government operated out of New York City, and the nation’s first Congress convened there. However, New York City was not a central location for the country, and there were concerns about its suitability as the capital. As a result, the federal government decided to move the capital to a more central location.
The third capital of the United States was Baltimore, Maryland. In 1790, Congress passed the Residence Act, which authorized the construction of a new capital city on the Potomac River. Baltimore was chosen as the temporary capital while the new city was being built. The federal government remained in Baltimore from 1790 to 1792, during which time the capital was officially moved to the new city of Washington.
In 1791, George Washington personally selected the site for the new capital city, which would later be named Washington DC. The city was designed by Pierre L’Enfant, a French engineer and architect. The capital was officially moved to Washington DC in 1800, making it the fourth and current capital of the United States.
In conclusion, the US capital before Washington DC was a dynamic and evolving entity. Philadelphia, New York City, and Baltimore all played significant roles in the nation’s early history. The eventual establishment of Washington DC as the permanent capital reflected the growing need for a central and strategic location for the federal government.
