The First United States Congress initially met in New York City under the Constitution.
The First Congress began on March 4, 1789, at Federal Hall in Lower Manhattan. Its members served during George Washington’s first presidency and organized the new federal government. The Senate and House addressed foundational issues such as executive departments, the federal judiciary, and the government’s finances.
Congress also proposed the Bill of Rights on September 25, 1789. James Madison introduced twelve proposed amendments, ten of which were ratified by the states and became the Bill of Rights in 1791. Washington’s first inauguration took place at Federal Hall during the same opening period.
New York City was the national capital from 1785 through 1790, first for the Confederation Congress and then for the constitutional government. Congress moved to Philadelphia in 1790 under the Residence Act. Washington, D.C., became the permanent capital later, beginning with the federal government’s move there in 1800. This sequence is why New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington are all associated with the nation’s early capital history.