Which major American city served as the first capital of the United States?

Which major American city served as the first capital of the United States?

• A. Philadelphia
• B. New York City
• C. Washington, D.C.
• D. Boston

Answer: (B)

The first capital of the United States under the new constitutional government was New York City. When the Constitution went into effect in 1789, the new Congress met there and Washington took the oath of office, making NYC the starting seat of the federal government. A few years later the capital moved to Philadelphia for about a decade while plans for a permanent capital were completed, and then ultimately to Washington, D.C. in 1800. So New York City is the correct city for the first capital. Philadelphia played that role earlier in the revolutionary period with the Continental Congress, and Boston never served as the national capital.

The first capital of the United States under the new constitutional government was New York City. When the Constitution went into effect in 1789, the new Congress met there and Washington took the oath of office, making NYC the starting seat of the federal government. A few years later the capital moved to Philadelphia for about a decade while plans for a permanent capital were completed, and then ultimately to Washington, D.C. in 1800. So New York City is the correct city for the first capital. Philadelphia played that role earlier in the revolutionary period with the Continental Congress, and Boston never served as the national capital.