Independence Hall

Designed in Georgian style by and , the building was built by Woolley from 1732 to 1753 . The building was originally intended for the Pennsylvania government.

Independence Hall is built of red brick . The highest point of the building rises 41 meters above the ground. Two more buildings adjoin the building: the old city council building from the east and Congress Hall from the west.

Throughout its history, the building was reconstructed several times. In 1830, it was rebuilt in the spirit of late classicism ( neo-Greek ) according to the design of J. Haviland. In 1950, the forces of the committee of the Department of National Parks returned to the building its former historical form, model 1776.

Liberty Bell

The bell tower of the Independence Hall was the place where the Liberty Bell was originally located. Currently, the bell tower is the Centennial Bell , created in 1876 on the centenary of the declaration of independence. The Liberty Bell is publicly displayed in one of the neighboring pavilions.

In 1976, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, visiting Philadelphia, presented a replica of the Century Bell made by the same factory as the original bell as a gift to the American people. Now it is installed in a bell tower near the Independence Hall.

Second Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence

Between 1775 and 1783, the Independence Hall was the main gathering place for the Second Continental Congress, assembled from representatives of each of the thirteen colonies . The Declaration of Independence was approved here on July 4, 1776 , and then read to the public in the square, which is now known as Independence Square. This document united the colonies of North America and proclaimed their independence from Great Britain. This event is celebrated on July 4 as Independence Day .

On June 14, 1775, at the Independence Hall, delegates to the Continental Congress elected George Washington the commander of the Continental Army . On July 26, Benjamin Franklin was elected US Postmaster General .

Signing the US Constitution

The US Constitution has been ratified by delegates from 12 states. The thirteenth state of Rhode Island did not delegate its representative. George Washington was appointed chairman of the debate from May to September 1787. Despite the fact that his opinion was of great weight, Washington made only a small contribution to the discussion on the US Constitution. Although the heat was incredible in the summer of 1787, all windows of the Independence Hall were closed so that no one could overhear the discussion of the constitution. The draft constitution, which includes the preamble and seven articles, was submitted to all thirteen states. The document entered into force after its ratification by representatives of 9 states. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the constitution. After ratification, the constitution entered into force on March 4, 1789. ^[2]

The Independence Hall building is well-known all over the world - since 1928 it has been depicted on the reverse of a hundred-dollar bill.

• Saxton, Joseph
• Federal hall

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