Everyone walks past this building to photograph the Stock Exchange across the street. Almost nobody stops to read the plaque. This is where the United States began.
On April thirtieth, seventeen eighty-nine, George Washington stood on the balcony of Federal Hall and took the oath of office as the first President of the United States. Chancellor Robert Livingston administered the oath. The Bible was opened at random to Genesis forty-nine thirteen. Livingston then shouted to the crowd: "Long live George Washington, President of the United States." A thirteen-gun salute followed. Washington's inaugural address, delivered in the Senate Chamber inside, was one thousand four hundred and nineteen words long.
This was also where the Bill of Rights was proposed on September twenty-fifth, seventeen eighty-nine, and where the Judiciary Act of seventeen eighty-nine established the federal court system. For a brief period, this building was the centre of American democracy.
The original Federal Hall was demolished in eighteen twelve. The current building — a Greek Revival structure completed in eighteen forty-two — was built as the New York Custom House and is now operated by the National Park Service as a free national memorial. The bronze statue of Washington on the front steps marks the approximate spot where he stood.
Verified Facts
George Washington took the oath of office here on April 30, 1789; the Bible was opened at random to Genesis 49:13
The Bill of Rights was proposed at Federal Hall on September 25, 1789
The Judiciary Act of 1789, establishing the federal court system, was enacted here
The original Federal Hall was demolished in 1812; the current Greek Revival building was completed in 1842 as the New York Custom House
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26 Wall St, New York, NY 10005
