The first capital of the United States under the current U.S. Constitution was New York City.

Quick Scoop

  • The new federal government first met in New York City in 1789, and George Washington took the oath of office at Federal Hall on Wall Street there.
  • Some historians note that Philadelphia and several other cities served as capitals earlier under the Continental Congress and Articles of Confederation, but New York City is usually cited as the first capital of the United States in the constitutional sense.

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