Exclusive: A Declaration that Transcends Politics, Class and Race? » Publications » Family Security Matters

Exclusive: A Declaration that Transcends Politics, Class and Race? » Publications » Family Security Matters: "Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was named as the “City of Brotherly Love” by its founder, William Penn (1644 - 1718). It was in Carpenter’s Hall in Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, where the First Continental Congress had assembled on September 5, 1774. Here, representatives of 12 of the 13 states gathered to address the issues of a domineering British bureaucracy. On May 10, 1775, after the Lexington and Concord Battles had marked the start of the revolutionary war, the Second Continental Congress was assembled, and plans were made to secede from Britain. The meetings, held at the Pennsylvania State House (now called Independence Hall, pictured above) witnessed the birth of a nation. Here, on July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted its resolution to be independent from British rule. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock and others debated and planned how to create a new nation.

On July 4, 1776 the document setting out the Declaration of Independence was completed and approved and given its first two signatures inside the Pennsylvania State House, Philadelphia. The Declaration was written mostly by Jefferson, with input from Benjamin Franklin (then aged 70), as well as John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston. The Declaration of Independence was finally signed on August 2 of that year. The Constitution of the United States was also planned and written in Philadelphia, becoming finalized in March 1789. While Washington DC was being built, Philadelphia served as the capital of the new nation.