POL101
Professor Tien
11 November 2017
The History of Federal Hall
One historical site that has played an important role in the development of the United States government is the Federal Hall. This is a monumental institution in our country that has impacted our political system and helped shape the politics we have today. It was built in 1700, this site previously served as the City Hall for New York as well. The significance of this historical site is that it serves as one of the early examples our government’s structure today. Many historical events had taken place in Federal Hall, starting from the inauguration of our first president to the ratification of the U.S Constitution. Following the Revolutionary War, this …show more content…
On October 6th, 1788 the reconstruction of City Hall to Federal Hall had began and was followed by the historical event of our first Presidency. In Federal Hall Revisited it is stated that “Although the building was never quite completed to the satisfaction of L'Enfant, Congress occupied Federal Hall, as the remodelled structure became known, and George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States on the balcony on that memorable day in April 1789” (Torres, Pg 327). In other words, one of the historical events that took place in Federal Hall was on April 30th, 1789, where George Washington became the first President of the United States. This was our very first Presidential inauguration and the start of the four year term as President. Federal Hall served as the beginning of the U.S government taking …show more content…
This was the trial of American newspaper publisher John Peter Zenger, which inspired the need for change and freedom of speech. In The Proposed Bill of Rights Memorial:A Gift from the Lawyers of the United States it is stated that “In 1735, Andrew Hamilton successfully won the acquittal of John Peter Zenger, who had been imprisoned therefor printing "seditious libels" in his newspaper, The New York Weekly Journal a significant first step toward free press and freedom of speech in America” (Seymour, Pg 1160). In other words, Peter Zenger was arrested on charges of seditious libel in 1735 against the British royal governor. He was tried after a year in prison and his acquittal was on the grounds of having freedom to criticize the government if it doesn't serve the people.The John Peter Zenger trials later became a precedent on which the freedom of press was established and led to the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, which reads,”Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." The First Amendment helps express our ideas and thoughts without having fear that government can reprimand us for that.