One of Philadelphia's most famous buildings is undoubtedly Independence Hall, located in the heart of Independence National Historical Park. This is an important historical and architectural monument and one of Philadelphia's most popular attractions. Independence Hall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the years 1775-1783, Independence Hall was the meeting place of the Second Continental Congress and it was here that the Declaration of Independence, uniting the colonies, was approved on July 4, 1776 North America who declared their independence from Great Britain. Once approved, the Declaration was ceremoniously read to the general public in the square in front of Independence Hall, which is today known as Independence Square. In 1787, Independence Hall was the site of the so-called Philadelphia Convention, as a result of which the fundamental law of the new state, the US Constitution, was developed and signed. Independence Hall was commissioned by the colonial legislature of Pennsylvania in 1732-1753. The design of the original Georgian structure, consisting of a central building with a bell tower and two side wings, was designed by Edmund Woolley and Andreu Hamilton. The original spire was destroyed in 1781, but a new, more complex one was designed by William Strickland and added in 1828. During this period the side wings were replaced by larger structures, but these were demolished in 1898 to restore the building to its original appearance. The interior was restored in the mid-20th century, and in 1973 a replica of the clock created by the famous American watchmaker Thomas Stretch, which adorned Independence Hall from 1753 to 1830, was installed on the building. The famous Liberty Bell, which once convened city residents to read the Declaration of Independence, can today be seen in the Liberty Bell Center located next to Independence Hall. 
During a recent trip to the USA, I was able to visit the beautiful city of Philadelphia and see one of the most symbolic places for Americans - the famous Independence Hall. "We discussed, agreed and signed here" Declaration of Independence“The 1776 and then the 1787 Constitution are two very important documents in American history.
The historical significance of the building did not go unnoticed by citizens.
The building dates back to old colonial times (though not long before the American Revolution). It was built in 1732-1753, when Pennsylvania was still a British colony. The building was intended for the colonial administration. It must be said that this building is part of the old historic quarter of Philadelphia, where there are a lot of old houses made of red-brown brick, built in the Georgian style.
A huge bell tower with a clock rises above the building
It was on this bell tower that the now famous " ". "On July 4, 1776, Congress solemnly approved the Declaration of Independence. A new state emerged - the United States. Although there was not enough gunpowder, fireworks thundered and bells rang " (Yakovlev N.N. George Washington ). This is not entirely true. The great bell in the bell tower of Independence Hall rang first, but this did not happen until July 8th, when " Declaration"read out publicly. Many years later" "became a symbol of American abolitionists. Now it is in a separate museum, not far from this building.
On the other side of the bell tower there is also a very beautiful extension with a clock (clocks were very popular in the 18th century)
Independence Hall has two additions - the old City Hall and Congress Hall.
Inside Independence Hall
Two important events in US political history took place here:
Proclamation of the "Declaration of Independence" of 1776
Signing of the US Constitution of 1787
Due to its physical beauty and historical significance, Independence Hall and its surrounding area became the center of Philadelphia in the 19th century (and still is today).
Independence Hall during the American Civil War
Today this place looks like this:
Independence Hall is a red brick building where fateful decisions for US history were made. The building was originally called the Pennsylvania State House.
In the summer of 1776, 56 brave men gathered at the Pennsylvania State House and challenged the King of England. They elected George Washington as commander of the Continental Army, risked their lives, but made history. Eleven years later, representatives from 12 states met to eventually create one nation.
The tour to Independence Hall begins with the Supreme Court Room. Also on the first floor is the Assembly Hall in exactly the same form as it was during the meetings of the Continental Congress. It was in this room that the Declaration of Independence was agreed upon on July 4, 1776, and read aloud to the public in the square in front of the building, known today as Independence Square. Also in the Assembly Hall, the US Constitution was signed - the second most important document in the history of the country.
On the second floor there are other halls: Long Gallery, Governor's Council Chamber, Committee of Assembly Chamber.
The famous Liberty Bell, which summoned Philadelphians to the reading of the Declaration of Independence, is exhibited in a separate pavilion at the Liberty Bell Center, located across the street. It was originally located in the bell tower of Independence Hall, but was removed from its historic location in 1976. In the bell tower itself, instead of a historical relic, there is a “Centennial Bell”, made for the centennial celebration of the Declaration of Independence.
Independence Hall
A majestic building located in the historical center, on the territory. The building was erected in the mid-1700s and was intended to house the Pennsylvania state government. The Independence Hall project was designed by one of the country's leading architects, the Englishman Edmund Willey. The building was made of the most common material in those years - American, ceramic brick, in the Georgian style and, at that time, amazed the residents of the city with its height, more than 40 meters.
Independence Hall is the most famous, and one of the main, historical attractions of the country, because it was in this place, in 1776, that the history of the United States of America began as an independent country.
Independence Hall is a US National Historic Landmark and is listed World Heritage UNESCO
An interesting historical detail is that in 1830, Independence Hall underwent a large-scale reconstruction designed by architect George Haviland, who gave the building a completely different and, according to the townspeople, unusual appearance. In 1876, Independence Hall was again subjected to a large-scale renovation, during which the building was returned to its original, historical appearance, exactly the one it has to this day.
Adjacent to the Independence Hall building are two more old buildings that were erected later - the City Council building (an extension on the east side), and the Congress Hall building (an extension on the west side).
When visiting Philadelphia, be sure to take time for a tour of Independence Hall with our representative - . During the tour, at the entrance you will see a statue of the first US President George Washington. After which you will proceed inside to the Assembly Hall, the very historical room in which the US Constitution was signed.
When I first approached the chair of the head of government, my feelings were akin to those experienced by a condemned person ascending to the scaffold
- George Washington
Although, about 250 years have passed since the signing of the main law of the country, nothing has changed in the Assembly Hall, everything here looks exactly the same as on the day the document was signed - all the same tables covered with green cloth, real Windsor chairs on which the fathers sat -founders of the country.
Here you can also see George Washington's chair, on the back of which the sun was carved by an ancient master. There is a silver inkwell on the table, exactly the one that was used when signing the document.
Ascending to the second floor of Independence Hall, you will find yourself in a corridor called the Long Gallery, which leads to other important rooms - the Governor's Council Chambe and the Committee of Assembly Chamber - both rooms where important government bodies of the country met .
Further, during the tour, guests are usually invited to see the Liberty Bell, which by its ringing notified the residents of Philadelphia that they were now living in an independent country, since the Declaration of Independence was signed by the Continental Congress. One of the most interesting parts of a tour of Independence Hall is usually the climb to the Hall Tower, from which stained glass windows offer stunning views of the entire Independence Square.
Independence Hall is a truly historic building whose doors are open to visitors 365 days a year. A visit to this place will reveal to you historical facts the birth of the statehood of the United States of America.
Introduction
Independence Hall Independence Hall) is a building in Independence Square in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, known as the place where the Declaration of Independence was discussed, agreed upon and signed in 1776; place where the US Constitution was signed. From 1775 to 1783, the building was used as a meeting place for the Second Continental Congress. Currently, the building is part of the US Historical Park and is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
1. History of construction
Designed in Georgian style by Edmund Woolley and Andrew Hamilton, the building was built by Woolley between 1732 and 1753. The building was originally intended for the Pennsylvania government.
Independence Hall is built of red brick. The highest point of the building rises 41 meters above the ground. There are 2 more buildings adjacent to the building: the old city council building to the east and the Congress Hall to the west.
1.1. Liberty Bell
The bell tower of Independence Hall was where the Liberty Bell was originally located. Currently, the bell tower houses the Centennial Bell. Centennial Bell), created in 1876 on the centenary of the declaration of independence. The Liberty Bell is on display to the public in one of the adjacent pavilions.
In 1976, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, while visiting Philadelphia, presented as a gift to the American people a replica of the Century Bell, manufactured by the same factory as the original bell. It is now installed in the bell tower near Independence Hall.
2. Historical events
2.1. Work of the Second Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence
From 1775 to 1783, Independence Hall was the main meeting place for the Second Continental Congress, drawn from representatives from each of the thirteen colonies. The Declaration of Independence was adopted here on July 4, 1776, and then read to the public in what is now known as Independence Square. This document united the North American colonies and declared their independence from Great Britain. This event is celebrated on July 4th as Independence Day.
On June 14, 1775, at Independence Hall, delegates to the Continental Congress elected George Washington as commander of the Continental Army. On July 26, Benjamin Franklin was elected Postmaster General.
2.2. Signing of the US Constitution
Source: http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence Hall
