Independence National Historical Park is a United States National Park in Philadelphia that preserves several sites associated with the American Revolution and the nation's founding history. Administered by the National Park Service, the 55-acre (22 ha)1] park comprises much of Philadelphia's most-visited historic district. The park has been nicknamed "America's most historic square mile"[35] because of its abundance of historic landmarks, and the park sites are located within the Old City and Society Hill neighborhoods of Philadelphia.
The centerpiece of the park[6] is Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted in the late 18th century. Independence Hall was the principal meetinghouse of the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1783 and the Constitutional Convention in the summer of 1787.[7]
Across the street from Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, an iconic symbol of American independence, is displayed in the Liberty Bell Center. The park contains other historic buildings, such as the First Bank of the United States, the first bank chartered by the United States Congress, and the Second Bank of the United States, which had its charter renewal vetoed by President Andrew Jackson as part of the Bank War. Carpenters' Hall, the site of the First Continental Congress, is located on Park property as well, however the building is privately owned and operated. It also contains City Tavern, a recreated colonial tavern, which was the favorite of the delegates, and John Adams felt was the finest tavern in all America.[8
Most of the park's historic structures are located in the vicinity of the four landscaped blocks between Chestnut, Walnut, 2nd, and 6th streets. The park also contains Franklin Court, the site of a museum dedicated to Benjamin Franklin and the United States Postal Service Museum. An additional three blocks directly north of Independence Hall, collectively known as Independence Mall, contain the Liberty Bell Center, National Constitution Center, Independence Visitor Center, and the former site of the President's House. The park also contains other historical artifacts, such as the Syng inkstand which was used during the signings of both the Declaration and the...
Read moreIndependence National Park, houses both Independence Hall and Congress Hall as well as the Liberty Bell and many other historic landmarks. The building was built in 1732 and was intended to be the Pennsylvania state House. In May 1775 the Second Continental Congress met here as tensions rose between the British Colonies and the Britain. The Battles of Lexington and Concord had been fought on April 19, 1775. The Second Continental Congress would take on the role of the National Government during the outset of the Revolutionary War. In the early days they created the Continental Army, naming George Washington as it leader, wrote and offered the Olive Branch Petition, and signing the Declaration of Independence. In 1781 the Articles of Confederation were adopted and it was here at Independence Hall that the new Congress met.
After the end of the War, it became obvious that the Articles of Confederation was not working. So a Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia at Independence Hall. It was here that the founders struggled to create a system of government that would bind 13 wildly independent colonies into a unified country. The result was the Constitution of The United States of America, which was signed in Independence Hall on September 17, 1789. The Newly formed Congress would meet right next door from Independence Hall in Congress Hall from 1790-1800. It was here that James Madison would right and present to Congress the Bill of Rights.
How so much history could be packed into this small area is stunning, it should be a goal of all patriots and historians to visit Independence Hall at least once. The visitor center is located just north of Independence Hall. It is here that you can get the free tour tickets, and see the Liberty Bell. Get there early as the tours fill up quickly. The Rangers are knowledgeable, I would especially like to call out to Ranger Blanco, who did an excellent job explaining the history of the buildings. In addition to Independence Hall there are many other attraction in the area that you should see, like the grave site of Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross...
Read moreAs a person who is massively engrossed in Continental United States History in addition to general World History, coming through Independence National Historic Park proved to be a historic venture for me, and more than just a venture and walkway to the more distinct Pennsylvania State House, now the contemporary Independence Hall, which housed the Second Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention of 1787.
This respective Park has often been regarded as the true place of our national birth, where the first readings occurred in July of 1776 of the Declaration of Independence read by Colonel John Nixon to the general peoples of the United States, in addition, the site is home to an exhibit pertaining to the History of the Liberty Bell and the Colonial Origins prevalent in the late 17th and Early 18th Centuries in addition to Independence Hall among other elements, outfront near Independence Hall remains a historic copper statue of President and former Amrrican Revolutionary War General in addition to Private and Lieutenant of Edward Braddock's British army in the Frnech and Indian War, George Washington, who would have been present from 1790 to 1797 in Philadelphia at the Independence Hall in the continental United States.
In addition, the park is surrounded by nearby 6th and Market Street, home to numerous other historical attractions prevalent in the general area with much historical significance in addition to a Cobblestone Street that has been restored to the 1770s glory of the National Mall of the Colonial Era and New Nationalism towards Chestnut Street near Carpenter's Hall, the meeting house of the First Continental Congress of 1774, a great park that all individuals should pass through and endorse in the History of as going to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall among other attractions in Historic Philadelphia maintained by the National...
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