What city was the U.S. federal capital when George Washington took office in 1789?
Answer
New York City
New York City was the U.S. federal capital when George Washington took office in 1789.
Washington’s inauguration took place on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall on Wall Street. Federal Hall served as the meeting place of the First United States Congress, and the ceremony marked the beginning of the executive branch under the Constitution.
New York was not intended to remain the permanent national capital. Congress passed the Residence Act in 1790, selecting a future capital on the Potomac River. The federal government then moved to Philadelphia, which served as the temporary capital from 1790 to 1800.
Washington, D.C., became the permanent capital in 1800. This creates a common mix-up: Washington was inaugurated in New York City, served during the temporary move to Philadelphia, and gave his name to the later federal district. Robert Livingston, New York’s chancellor, administered the oath of office.