The Semiquincentennial Commission’s first commissioners were sworn in at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
The ceremony took place on November 16, 2018, when the then-33 commissioners began the commission’s formal organizing work. Independence Hall was chosen because of its direct connection to the nation’s founding documents and institutions.
The building was the meeting place where the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It was also where delegates debated and signed the United States Constitution in 1787. That dual association made it especially appropriate for launching planning for the 250th anniversary.
Independence Hall is part of Independence National Historical Park, which also includes the Liberty Bell and other historic locations. The Liberty Bell Center is nearby but is a separate modern building, so it is not the answer to this question.