New York City was the first capital of the United States under the Constitution. The city served as the temporary capital from 1785 until 1790 before the capital was moved to Philadelphia and eventually to Washington, D.C. During its time as the capital, Congress met in Federal Hall, and important events, including George Washington's first inauguration as president in 1789, took place there. The choice of New York as the nation’s first capital was symbolic, reflecting the city’s significance as a commercial and cultural hub at the time. This period is a crucial chapter in early American history.