Independence facade and rear side of the building. Independence Hall. Historical Events ===

Construction ( independenceHall) began in 1732. The building was intended for a meeting of the government of the state of Pennsylvania. At the time, it was the most ambitious public building project among the thirteen colonies. The construction of the building was funded by the state government. Construction work was carried out for 21 years and was completed in 1753.

The building was designed by Andrew Hamilton. During its history, the building was restored several times, in 1830 the architect John Haviland gave the building a Greek style, and in 1950, by the forces of the National Parks Committee, the building was returned to its original historical appearance, of the 1776 model.

The US Constitution was ratified by 12 delegates from 13 North American colonies. Rhode Island did not delegate a representative. George Washington was appointed chairman of the debate, which took place from May to September 1787. Despite the fact that his opinion carried enormous weight, Washington made only a minor contribution to the discussion regarding the US Constitution. Although the summer of 1787 was incredibly hot, all the windows were closed so that no one could eavesdrop on the discussion of the constitution.

A draft constitution, including a preamble and seven articles, was submitted to all thirteen states. The document came into force after its ratification by representatives of 9 states. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the text of the constitution. After ratification, the constitution went into effect on March 4, 1789.

One of the main points, among the many innovations introduced in the constitution, was the separation of powers between the legislative (congress), executive (president) and judicial branches of government. The Congress was divided into two representations - the upper and lower chambers. The upper house gave equal powers to all states, regardless of their size, and the lower house gave proportional representation depending on the size of the states. This fact caused a lot of intense debate between representatives of small and large states. However, a compromise was reached and a government was formed.

You can see the building of Independence Hall on the back of the hundred dollar bill.

During a recent trip to the USA, I managed to visit the beautiful city of Philadelphia and see one of the most symbolic places for Americans - the famous Independence Hall (Independence Hall). Here they discussed, agreed and signed " Declaration of Independence 1776 and then the Constitution of 1787 are two very important documents of American history.

The historical significance of the building did not go unnoticed by citizens.

The building was built back in the old colonial times (albeit shortly before the American Revolution). It was built in 1732-1753, when Pennsylvania was still a British colony. The building was intended for the colonial administration. I must say that this building is part of the old historical district of Philadelphia, where there are a lot of old houses made of red-brown brick, built in the Georgian style.

Above the building rises a huge bell tower with a clock

It was on this bell tower that the now famous " ". "On July 4, 1776, Congress solemnly approved the Declaration of Independence. A new state emerged - the United States. Although there was not enough gunpowder, fireworks thundered, bells rang " (Yakovlev N.N. George Washington ). This is not entirely true. The great bell in Independence Hall's belfry rang first, but that did not happen until July 8th, when " Declaration"read publicly. Many years later" "became a symbol of the American abolitionists. Now it is in a separate museum, not far from this building.

On the other side of the bell tower there is also a very beautiful extension with a clock (clocks were very fond of in the 18th century)

There are two additions to Independence Hall - the building of the old city council and Congress Hall

Inside Independence Hall

Two important events in US political history took place here:

Proclamation of the "Declaration of Independence" 1776

Signing of the 1787 US Constitution

Due to its external beauty and historical significance, Independence Hall and its environs became the center of Philadelphia in the 19th century (and even now are).

Independence Hall during the American Civil War

Today the place looks like this:

Independence Hall is a red brick building, inside which fateful decisions for the history of the United States were made. The building was originally called the Pennsylvania State House.

In the summer of 1776, 56 brave men gathered at the Pennsylvania State House and challenged the King of England. They elected George Washington to command the Continental Army, risked their lives, but made history. Eleven years later, representatives from 12 states met to eventually create a single nation.

The tour of Independence Hall starts from the Supreme Court Room. Also on the first floor, the Assembly Hall is displayed in exactly the same form as during the meetings of the Continental Congress. It was in this room that the Declaration of Independence was agreed on July 4, 1776, read aloud to the public in the square in front of the building, known today as Independence Square. Also in the Assembly Hall, the US Constitution was signed - the second most important document in the history of the country.

On the second floor there are other halls: Long Gallery, Governor's Council Chamber, Committee of Assembly Chamber.

The famous Liberty Bell, which called the people of Philadelphia to announce the Declaration of Independence, is exhibited in a separate pavilion at the Liberty Bell Center, located across the street. It was originally located in the belfry of Independence Hall, but was removed from its historic site in 1976. In the bell tower itself, instead of a historical relic, there is the Centennial Bell, made for the centenary of the celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

Designed in the Georgian style by Edmund Woolley () and Andrew Hamilton (), the building was built by Woolley between 1732 and 1753. The building was originally intended for the government of Pennsylvania.

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.

Liberty Bell

The bell tower of Independence Hall was the site where it was originally located. At present, the bell tower houses the Century Bell. Centennial Bell), created in 1876 on the centenary of the declaration of independence. The Liberty Bell is displayed to the public in one of the neighboring pavilions.

In 1976, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, while on a visit to 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 on the bell tower near Independence Hall.

Historical Events ===

Work of the Second Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence

=== Work of the Second Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence

From 1775 to 1783, Independence Hall was the main meeting place for the Second Continental Congress, composed of representatives from 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 that is now known as Independence Square. This document united the colonies of North America and declared their independence from Great Britain. This event is celebrated on July 4 as Independence Day.

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

Americans consider Independence Hall (Independence Hall) the birthplace of the United States of America. It was home to the United States Supreme Court, Philadelphia City Hall, but is primarily known as the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The Palace of Independence is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Myths and facts

Construction began in 1732, designed by Edmund Woolley, one of the first American architects, and Andrew Hamilton, a famous lawyer from Philadelphia, nicknamed the "lawyer of Philadelphia" for his successful defense of freedom of the press in America.

The Georgian building, 41 meters high, was completed twenty years later. Since then, it has undergone many changes, but after the restoration in 1948, it was returned to its original appearance of 1753.

Independence Hall housed the Pennsylvania state legislature. It became the main seat of the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1783 and the site of the tumultuous meetings of the Constitutional Convention under the chairmanship of George Washington. Today, Independence Hall is part of the Independence National Historical Park and is open to the public for free visits.

What to see

Adjacent to the main structure are two structures: the old city council building to the east and Congress Hall to the west. In front of the entrance is a statue of Washington, erected in 1869 with funds raised by the residents of Philadelphia.

Independence Hall also houses the Washington Chair with the rising sun carved into the back and the silver inkwell used to sign the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. The interior has been restored to its original form at the time of the signing of these documents.

You can climb the stairs to the tower, from where you can see the Independence Square. The Liberty Bell was originally located here. Now the original cracked bell is exhibited in the adjacent pavilion. And on the tower there is a century-old bell, cast for the centenary of the declaration of independence.

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