Eleanor Finch
Independence Hall is a historic civic building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the Founding Fathers of the United States debated and signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The Assembly Room of Independence Hall is where the Constitution was debated, ratified, and signed on September 17, 1787, now celebrated as Constitution Day. The room later became a shrine to the founding of the nation, displaying the Liberty Bell and original paintings of the Founding Fathers. The US Constitution was also displayed at the Centennial Exhibition in 1876 in Philadelphia and was later moved to the National Archives in 1952.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Philadelphia, PA |
| Construction | Completed in 1756 |
| History | The Declaration of Independence was debated and ratified here on July 4, 1776. The Articles of Confederation were ratified here in 1781. The Constitutional Convention was held here from May to September 1787, during which the United States Constitution was drafted, debated, ratified, and signed. |
| Current Use | A National Historic Landmark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular tourist attraction offering guided tours. It has been featured on the back of U.S. currency and in films such as A More Perfect Union (1989). |
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What You'll Learn
- Independence Hall is a historic civic building in Philadelphia
- The Declaration of Independence was debated and ratified there
- The US Constitution was also debated, ratified, and signed in Independence Hall
- The building is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The Liberty Bell was displayed in the hall until 1976
Independence Hall is a historic civic building in Philadelphia
Independence Hall is often referred to as "America's Birthplace" as it is where the Founding Fathers and colonial leaders met to debate and adopt the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. The Assembly Room is the heart of Independence Hall, and it is where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. The room took on the appearance of a shrine with the 1854-55 redecoration, and visitors can still see the room today.
The history of Independence Hall can be divided into four periods: first construction and function as the Pennsylvania State House from 1732 to 1799, used as a museum from 1802 to 1828, became a municipal building from 1818 to 1895, and turned into an important historical landmark from 1898 to the present. The building was designated a World Heritage Site in 1979 and is one of the most recognizable buildings in the United States. It is an example of American Georgian architecture, characterised by exposed brick creating a sense of clean lines, proportions, and symmetry.
The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia includes a visit to Independence Hall, and the building has also been used as a venue for speeches and protests in support of democratic and civil rights movements. Visitors can also see two other buildings aside from the main tour of Independence Hall, including Congress Hall, which was used as the U.S. Capitol Building when Philadelphia was the capital of the United States from 1790-1800.
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The Declaration of Independence was debated and ratified there
Independence Hall is a historic civic building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a rich history that dates back to its construction in 1753. Initially called the Pennsylvania State House, it served as the first colonial-era capitol of the Province of Pennsylvania. Over time, the building underwent various transformations, including being used as a museum and a municipal building before becoming a significant historical landmark.
The Declaration of Independence was debated and ratified in the Assembly Room of Independence Hall, then known as the Pennsylvania State House. The Second Continental Congress, which governed the United States from 1775 to 1788, met in this very room in May 1775. The Declaration of Independence was a pivotal moment in the birth of the nation, and its creation was influenced by Thomas Paine's pamphlet, "Common Sense," which advocated for independence from Britain.
The Continental Congress, led by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, played a crucial role in the process. On June 7, 1776, Lee presented a three-part resolution to Congress, declaring the colonies' independence, forming foreign alliances, and planning a colonial confederation. This resolution faced resistance, with delegates like John Dickinson arguing for reconciliation with Britain. However, passionate speeches, such as John Adams' reply to Dickinson, bolstered the case for immediate independence.
The final wording of the Declaration of Independence was approved on July 4, 1776, marking a significant turning point in the colonies' relationship with Great Britain. This declaration was signed in the Assembly Room of Independence Hall, where it later became a shrine to the founding of the nation. The room proudly displayed the Liberty Bell and original paintings of the Founding Fathers.
The Independence Hall, with its Assembly Room at its heart, holds immense symbolic value in American history. It has served as a venue for significant speeches and protests advocating for democratic and civil rights movements. The building's architecture, characterized by exposed brick and clean lines, creates a sense of spaciousness and natural lighting. Today, Independence Hall stands as a World Heritage Site, recognized for its role in shaping the course of American democracy.
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The US Constitution was also debated, ratified, and signed in Independence Hall
Independence Hall is a historic civic building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the US Constitution was debated, ratified, and signed. The building, which is the centrepiece of Independence National Historical Park, was designated a World Heritage Site in 1979 and is considered one of the most recognisable buildings in the United States.
The history of Independence Hall can be divided into four periods: first construction and function as the Pennsylvania State House from 1732 to 1799; use as a museum from 1802 to 1828; service as a municipal building from 1818 to 1895; and transformation into an important historical landmark from 1898 to the present. The building was initially called the Pennsylvania State House, and construction began in 1732, completing in 1753 or 1756, according to different sources. It served as the first capitol of the colonial-era Province of Pennsylvania.
The Declaration of Independence was debated and ratified in Independence Hall on July 4, 1776, which is now celebrated as Independence Day. In 1781, the Articles of Confederation were also ratified in the building. During the summer of 1787, the Constitutional Convention was held in Independence Hall, resulting in the drafting of the US Constitution. The Constitution was debated, ratified, and signed within Independence Hall's Assembly Room on September 17, 1787, now celebrated as Constitution Day.
Today, Independence Hall is often referred to as "America's Birthplace" and is a National Historic Landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site open to the public for tours. Visitors can stand in the room where the United States of America was born and view the Liberty Bell, original paintings of the Founding Fathers, and other significant artefacts.
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The building is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Independence Hall, a historic civic building in Philadelphia, is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1979 and is considered one of the most recognisable buildings in the United States. The building is owned by the City of Philadelphia and is administered by the National Park Service as part of Independence National Historical Park. The park features around 20 buildings, both historic and modern, that are open to the public.
The building holds immense symbolic significance as the site where the Founding Fathers of the United States debated and adopted the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. Both these documents were signed within Independence Hall, specifically in the Assembly Room, which later became a shrine to the founding of the nation. The universal principles of freedom, democracy, and the right to revolution and self-government outlined in these documents have had a profound and enduring impact on lawmakers and politicians worldwide.
The history of Independence Hall can be divided into several periods. Initially constructed as the Pennsylvania State House, it served as the first capitol of the colonial-era Province of Pennsylvania from 1732 to 1799. From 1802 to 1828, it was used as a museum, and from 1818 to 1895, it functioned as a municipal building. Since 1898, it has been recognised as an important historical landmark.
The building's architecture is a notable example of American Georgian design, characterised by exposed brick, clean lines, proportions, and symmetry. The Assembly Room, located at the heart of Independence Hall, took on a shrine-like appearance with the redecoration in 1854-1855. The room proudly displayed the Liberty Bell and original paintings of the Founding Fathers.
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The Liberty Bell was displayed in the hall until 1976
The Liberty Bell is a symbol of freedom and American independence. The bell was originally known as the State House Bell, but in the 1830s, it was renamed the Liberty Bell when it became a symbol of the anti-slavery movement. The bell was placed in the steeple of the State House, which was later renamed Independence Hall. The steeple was torn down in the 1780s, and the bell was moved to the highest chamber of the brick tower, where it remained until the 1850s.
From the 1850s until 1976, the Liberty Bell was displayed on the ground floor of Independence Hall. During this time, the bell was a popular site for protests and a symbol of hope and freedom. In 1924, one of the exterior doors of Independence Hall was replaced with glass, allowing the bell to be viewed even when the building was closed. In 1955, former residents of nations behind the Iron Curtain were allowed to tap the bell as a symbol of hope and encouragement.
In 1976, the Bicentennial year, the Liberty Bell was moved from Independence Hall to a nearby glass pavilion on Independence National Historical Park. This move was proposed by the Park Service, who wished to better accommodate visitors and care for the bell. The bell now resides in the larger Liberty Bell Center, which is located across the street from its former home in Independence Hall.
While the Liberty Bell was displayed in Independence Hall until 1976, the U.S. Constitution was never displayed there. Instead, the Constitution, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, were collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom and were initially controlled by the State Department. In 1952, these documents were moved to the National Archives, where they are now housed in a climate-controlled space.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the US Constitution was displayed in Independence Hall. The Assembly Room of Independence Hall is where the US Constitution was signed, debated, and ratified. The room later became a shrine to the founding of the nation, displaying the Liberty Bell and original paintings of the Founding Fathers.
Independence Hall is a historic civic building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Independence Hall is where the Founding Fathers and colonial leaders met to debate and shape the future of the new nation. The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were both debated, ratified, and signed here.
Yes, Independence Hall is open to the public for tours. It is a National Historic Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
