by A Howell

Created on: April 20, 2008

Independence Hall is a United States landmark located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th Streets. The Declaration of Independence and the United Stated Constitution were both signed in this building.

It was built from 1732 to 1753, designed by Edmund Woolly and Andrew Hamilton. It was initially inhabited by the colonial government of Pennsylvania as their State House. Two smaller buildings adjoined were known as Old City Hall and Congress Hall. Old City Hall was home to the United States Supreme Court from 1791 to 1800. The buildings are on a city block known as Independence square. On the north end there is a statue of George Washington, and the south holds a statue of Commodore John Barry, the "Father of the American Navy."

Independence Hall is the original home of the Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell did not arrive until September 1752 and hung in March 1753. When the bell was rung for the first time, it cracked. After replacing it, nobody was satisfied with its tone. They continued to use the original, on special occasions. When the Bell was rung on Washington's Birthday in 1846 the crack expanded leaving it unringable. Today this tower holds the Centennial Bell, while the original sits across the street in the Liberty Bell Center with its distinct crack.

Between the years 1775 and 1783 it served as a meeting place for the Second Continental Congress. On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was approved. Days earlier it was read openly on Independence Square.

June 14, 1775 George Washington was nominated as commander of the Continental Army, defeating John Hancock in the Assembly room of Independence Hall. The Second Continental Congress appointed Ben Franklin as Postmaster General later known as the United States Post Office Department.

In 1777, British army's occupied Philadelphia, forcing the state house to go to York, Pennsylvania. Congress returned in 1778 after the end of the British occupation.
September 17, 1787 the Constitution was completed and took affect on March 4, 1789.

Until the year 1800 Philadelphia was the home of our federal government, leaving it to be in their location now in Washington D.C.

Independence Hall will always be known as the birthplace of freedom. Philadelphia is rich with historical landmarks that created our country. As of today we still celebrate the many things our founding fathers have given us, Freedom.

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