Washington, DC became the US capital in the 1800s, after eight other cities. Philadelphia was the first capital, with Lancaster serving for one day. Other cities, including York and Princeton, also served as capital at different times.
The United States declared independence in 1776, but Washington, DC did not officially become the nation’s capital until the 1800s. In fact, the United States went through eight other capitals before settling on Washington, DC The original capital of the United States was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from September 5 to October 26, 1774, during the meeting of the first Continental Congress. Another Pennsylvania city is notable for being the shortest-term capital of the United States: Lancaster, which served as the capital for a single day on September 27, 1777, when Congress had to leave Philadelphia to flee British troops.
Read more about the former capitals of the United States:
Philadelphia has been used as the capital of the United States on six separate occasions, the most of any city.
The Articles of Confederation, which served as the first agreement between the original 13 colonies, were drafted in York, Pennsylvania when it served as the capital from September 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778.
Princeton, New Jersey served as the nation’s capital in late 1783. Congress met at Princeton University and Princeton became the first city in the United States to receive a formal visit from a foreign secretary, Peter John Van Berkel from the Netherlands.
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