Independence Hall
Philadelphia, United States
20.10.2011
The Independence Hall is a historic building located in Philadelphia, United States. It is considered as one of the most significant symbols of American democracy and it is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building is known for being the place where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were adopted by the Continental Congress in the late 18th century.
The construction of the Independence Hall started in 1732 and was originally intended to be used as the Pennsylvania State House. It was designed by Edmund Woolley and Andrew Hamilton, who were inspired by Georgian architecture. However, the building was not fully completed until 1753 due to financial issues.
During the American Revolution, the Independence Hall served as a meeting place for the Second Continental Congress, where the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. The building also witnessed the creation and signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787.
Afterwards, the Independence Hall continued to be used as the seat of the Pennsylvania Assembly until 1799. It then became the Philadelphia County Courthouse and was used as such until 1854. In the late 19th and early 20th century, the building underwent several restoration projects to preserve its historical significance.
Today, the Independence Hall is open to the public and serves as a museum dedicated to the history of American democracy. Visitors can take guided tours and see the Assembly Room where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed. They can also visit the Liberty Bell, an iconic symbol of American independence, which is located just outside the building.
If you are interested in American history and democracy, the Independence Hall is definitely a must-visit. It offers a unique opportunity to see where some of the most important events in American history took place and to learn more about the country's founding principles.
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The Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Constitution of the United States (1787) were both signed in this building in Philadelphia. The universal principles of freedom and democracy set forth in these documents are of fundamental importance to American history and have also had a profound impact on law-makers around the world.
Independence Hall is a historic civic building in Philadelphia, where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were debated and adopted by the Founding Fathers of the United States. The building, which is the centerpiece of Independence National Historical Park, was designated a World Heritage Site in 1979.
It is one of the most recognizable buildings in United States and an example of American Georgian architecture, which is characterized by symmetry, classical proportions, and exposed brick with stone masonry accents. The architecture created a generous sense interior space with ample natural lighting.
Construction of Independence Hall, which was initially called Pennsylvania State House, was completed in 1753. It served as the first capitol of the colonial era Province of Pennsylvania. Even back then, it was seen as “the greatest ornament in the town” and was a part of the ‘Map of Philadelphia and Parts Adjacent’ which showed only a little portion of the organized settlement in Pennsylvania but still had the drawing of the State House showcasing at the top. The building that represented the British culture on life within the American colonies, is now a symbol of liberty, democracy, and the founding of the United States.
During the American Revolutionary War, which broke out with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress convened in Independence Hall from 1775 to 1781. On June 14, 1775, inside Independence Hall, they founded the Continental Army and unanimously appointed George Washington as its commander-in- chief.
The following year, on July 4, 1776, inside Independence Hall, the 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, which was largely written over two weeks the prior month by Thomas Jefferson from his second-floor apartment on Market Street within walking distance of Independence Hall.
From May 25 to September 17, 1787, Independence Hall hosted the Constitutional Convention, where the U.S. Constitution, now the longest-standing written and codified national constitution in the world, was debated, drafted, and ratified.
In 1915, former U.S. president William Howard Taft presided over a convention at Independence Hall, where the League to Enforce Peace was formed, leading to formation of the League of Nations in 1920, and the United Nations a quarter century later, in 1945, following the end of World War II.
The National Park, of which Independence Hall is a part, surrounds it and creates acts a buffer zone between the building and the modern urban fabric. Independence Hall is being protected by security screening building entrance. The most significant pressures on the authenticity of the property relate to the large number of visitors, the degradation of the building due to air pollution and acid rain, and commercial development in the vicinity. Most of the urban air pollution is a result of the vehicular traffic on surrounding roads. This can lead to acid rain and surface degradation of the building’s brick, wood, and stone elements over time. Philadelphia has a humid climate with seasonal snow and rain as well as a wide range of seasonal temperatures, and face winds from west and northwest. These can cause biological growth, weathering, efflorescence, and moisture infiltration, which may weaken mortar joints and interior wood components and deteriorate historic materials. The high levels of tourists can also result in the wear and tear of the building and may also result in accidental damage from the visitors.
