On September 13, 1788, New York City was named the first capital of the United States. In particular, the First Continental Congress named New York City the first and temporary capital of the newly formed United States.

In 1774, Representatives from the original 13 colonies met in Philadelphia to convene the First Continental Congress. The next year the Second Continental Congress met in multiple locations, including such places as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and York, Pennsylvania. The Articles of Confederation were eventually formed and from 1781 to 1788 Congress met in Philadelphia, Princeton, New Jersey, Trenton, New Jersey, Annapolis, Maryland, and New York City.

In March 1789, the United States Congress was established upon ratification of the United States Constitution. And on this day, September 13, 1788, New York City was named the nation’s first and temporary capital of the United States, which it remained until July 1790. There were many “firsts” in New York City, including: the first presidential inauguration of George Washington; the first session of the U.S. Supreme Court; the drafting and ratification of the Bill of Rights; and the creation of the Northwest Ordinance to expand the United States.

In mid 1790, Congress passed the Residence Act to find a permanent national capital. Congress selected Philadelphia as another temporary capital, which it remained for ten years until December 1800. Then, in 1800, Washington D.C. became the permanent capital of the United States which it has remained to the present.