Independence Hall, Philadelphia

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the most historically significant buildings in the United States. Originally constructed in 1753 as the Pennsylvania State House, it became the site where both the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the U.S. Constitution (1787) were debated and adopted.

The building, designed in the Georgian architectural style, features exposed brick and symmetrical proportions. It served as the meeting place for the Second Continental Congress during the American Revolution, where leaders such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin shaped the nation’s founding principles.

Today, Independence Hall is the centerpiece of Independence National Historical Park and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its role in the pursuit of democracy. Visitors can tour the Assembly Room, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the Supreme Court Chamber, which housed Pennsylvania’s highest court.