New York City was the first U.S. capital under the Constitution.
The city served as the national capital from March 4, 1789, until August 12, 1790. Federal Hall on Wall Street hosted the first Congress under the Constitution and the inauguration of George Washington as the first president.
New York City had also served as the national capital under the Articles of Confederation. Congress later moved to Philadelphia, which became the capital in 1790. Washington, D.C., became the permanent capital after the federal government relocated there in 1800.
New York’s role was more than ceremonial. Congress drafted the Bill of Rights there, and the Supreme Court held its first organizational sessions in the city. The city is sometimes confused with Philadelphia because Philadelphia hosted the Constitutional Convention and later served as the capital, but New York came first under the new constitutional government.