Where did the first United States Congress meet in 1789?

The first United States Congress met at Federal Hall in New York City in 1789. Its opening marked the beginning of the federal government under the new Constitution.

The First Congress convened on March 4, 1789, although the House and Senate needed additional time to achieve quorums. Congress later counted the electoral votes that confirmed George Washington as president and John Adams as vice president. Washington was inaugurated at Federal Hall on April 30, 1789.

Federal Hall stood on Wall Street in New York City. The building had previously served as New York's city hall and was remodeled for the national government. Congress used it before moving to Congress Hall in Philadelphia in 1790.

Federal Hall is sometimes confused with Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were debated, or with Congress Hall, which hosted Congress in Philadelphia. The first Congress's initial meeting place was specifically Federal Hall, making New York City the first seat of the federal government under the Constitution.