New York City was the first U.S. capital under the Constitution, in the early national history commemorated by America250.
The city became the national capital in 1789, when the new federal government began operating under the Constitution. Congress met at Federal Hall on Wall Street, where George Washington was inaugurated as the first president on April 30, 1789.
New York had already served as the capital under the Articles of Confederation from 1785. This makes it important to distinguish the city’s earlier Confederation-era role from its status as the first capital under the Constitution. Federal Hall also hosted the first Congress and early work on the Bill of Rights.
The capital moved from New York City to Philadelphia in 1790 under the Residence Act. Philadelphia then served as the temporary national capital while Washington, D.C., was being developed as the permanent capital. Washington, D.C., assumed that role in 1800.