Independence Hall

The Independence Hall or Pennsylvania State House is the building with Philadelphia in Pennsylvania where was signed the Déclaration of independence and was adopted the American Constitution. Independence Hall is classified on the list of the world heritage of UNESCO since 1979.

Description

Outside

Independence Hall is a building built in brick S reds between 1732 and 1753. Its plan was conceived in the Style géorgien by the architect Edmund Woolley and the lawyer Andrew Hamilton. It was built to shelter the colonial assembly of Pennsylvania before the Révolution. It is framed by two other political buildings: in the east old the hotel-of-city ( Old City Hall ) and in the west the room of the Congress ( Congress Hall ). Together, the three buildings which occupy a block of the city form the “public garden of independence” ( Independence Square ) with the Philosophical Hall , where met the American Philosophical Society .

Interior

The Declaration of independence and the Constitution of the United States were both signed in this building of Philadelphia, respectively in 1776 and 1787. The universal principles of freedom and democracy stated in these documents are fundamental for the American history and had a deep impact on the legislators throughout the world since their adoption.

As its name indicates it, this building is that in which were written and signed the Declaration of independence of the United States of America (before under British domination) as well as the first constitution. One can visit this building in which two parts were refitted with furniture of time to reconstitute this historic moment when the leaders of each thirteen colonies met to modify the first “little book” written by Thomas Jefferson. Work was chaired by George Washington, among the thirteen colonies, Benjamin Franklin represented the colony of Pennsylvania.

After the signature of the constitution, Benjamin Franklin pointed the presidential chair of George Washington, which had a sun engraved on the file. He says eloquently to all the representatives: " I often… during this session… looked at it… without being able to say if it lay down or rose; but now, finally, I am glad to know that it is to raise it and not to lay down it soleil."

The two refitted parts can be visited, with guided visit:

the first part is used for the drafting and the dialogs;
in the second part the signatures were affixed.

In another wing of the building, one can see some sheets of the original of the first constitution, with some handwritten notes made with the feather in the margins. Felted environment where the photographs are prohibited in this part with the invaluable documents.

It is as in another wing of the building as one finds the first Sénat of the United States of America and the first Chambre of the representatives. Philadelphia being then the capital of the the United States

In front of the building, a statue represents George Washington declaring independence with the American people.

Opposite this building, in a new house, one can see the “bell of freedom” ( Liberty Bell )

The indepedance hall is drawn with the back of the tickets of 100 US Dollar with the effigy of Benjamin Franklin. A long sequence of the film Benjamin Gates and the Treasury of Templiers is turned inside the building.

Gallery

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