Which historic landmark was the first capital of the United States?

Federal Hall is recognized as the first capital of the United States after the Constitution was ratified. Located at 26 Wall Street in Manhattan, Federal Hall served as the meeting place for the first Congress of the United States from 1789 to 1790. It was here that George Washington was inaugurated as the first President and that the Bill of Rights was introduced, making it a vital site in American history.

Independence Hall, while significant as the location where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and adopted, is located in Philadelphia and was not the capital of the United States after the establishment of the government under the Constitution. Liberty Hall, although a place of historical interest, does not have the same stature as Federal Hall in terms of being a capital. Mount Vernon is George Washington's estate and has historical importance but is not related to the designation of a capital. Understanding the roles of these landmarks helps clarify the critical moments in early American governance and the formation of the nation.