Where a Nation Began: Standing on the Steps of Federal Hall

Federal Hall is one of the most historically significant sites in New York, marking the birthplace of the American government. From Washington’s inauguration to the adoption of the Bill of Rights, it embodies the early struggles and triumphs that shaped the nation.

Standing on the steps where George Washington took the oath of office on April 30. 1789, I could not help but feel a sense of awe. I was imagining that moment when a new nation began and its first President set the standard for all who would follow. The statue of Washington, now standing in that very spot, serves as a powerful reminder of the courage, humility, and hope that defined America’s beginnings.