Editing Independence Hall (section)

{{Short description|Historic building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name =
| image = Exterior of the Independence Hall, Aug 2019.jpg
| caption = Independence Hall in [[Philadelphia]], where the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and [[United States Constitution|U.S. Constitution]] were both debated and ratified
| location = 520 [[Chestnut Street (Philadelphia)|Chestnut Street]] (between 5th and 6th Streets), [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| coordinates = {{coord|39|56|56|N|75|9|0|W|display=inline,title}}
| architect = [[William Strickland (architect)|William Strickland]] (steeple)
| architecture = [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]]
| built = {{start date and age|1753}}
| area =
| visitation_num = 645,564
| visitation_year = 2005<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nps.gov/inde/management-documents.htm |title = Management Documents |publisher = National Park Service |access-date = May 1, 2011 }}</ref>
| locmapin = Philadelphia#Pennsylvania#USA
| map_relief = yes
| map_width  = 
| map_caption = Location in [[Philadelphia]]##Location in [[Pennsylvania]]##Location in the [[United States]] 
| map_dot_mark = 
| map_dot_label = 
| governing_body = [[National Park Service]]<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2009a}}</ref>
| designation1 = WHS
| designation1_date = 1979 <small>(3rd [[World Heritage Committee|session]])</small>
| designation1_type = Cultural
| designation1_criteria = vi
| designation1_number = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/78 78]
| designation1_free1name = Region
| designation1_free1value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in North America|Europe and North America]]
| designation2 = NHLDCP
| designation2_date = October 15, 1966
| designation2_partof = [[Independence National Historical Park]]
| designation2_number = 66000683<ref name="nris"/>
}}
'''Independence Hall''' is a historic civic building in [[Philadelphia]], where both the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and the [[Constitution of the United States]] were debated and adopted by the [[Founding Fathers of the United States]]. The building, which is the centerpiece of [[Independence National Historical Park]], was designated a [[World Heritage Site]] in 1979.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Independence Hall|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/78/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en}}</ref>

It is one of the most recognizable buildings in [[United States]] and an example of American [[Georgian architecture]] which is characterized using exposed brick creating a visual of clean lines, proportions and symmetry. The architecture aimed to create a generous sense of space and natural light.

Construction of Independence Hall, which was initially called  [[Pennsylvania State Capitol#History|Pennsylvania State House]], was completed in 1753. It served as the [[List of state and territorial capitols in the United States|first capitol]] of the colonial era [[Province of Pennsylvania]].  Even back then, it was seen as “the greatest ornament in the town” and was a part of the ‘Map of Philadelphia and Parts Adjacent’ which showed only a little portion of the organized settlement in Pennsylvania but still had the drawing of the State House showcasing at the top. The building that represented the British culture on life within the American colonies, is now a symbol of liberty, democracy, and the founding of the United States.

During the [[American Revolutionary War]], which broke out with the [[Battles of Lexington and Concord]], the [[Second Continental Congress]] convened in Independence Hall from 1775 to 1781. On June 14, 1775, inside Independence Hall, they founded the [[Continental Army]] and unanimously appointed [[George Washington]] as its commander-in- chief.

The following year, on July 4, 1776, inside Independence Hall, the 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, which was largely written over two weeks the prior month by [[Thomas Jefferson]] from his second-floor apartment on [[Market Street (Philadelphia)|Market Street]] within walking distance of Independence Hall.

From May 25 to September 17, 1787, Independence Hall hosted the [[Constitutional Convention (United States)|Constitutional Convention]], where the U.S. Constitution, now the longest-standing written and codified national constitution in the world, was debated, drafted, and ratified.<ref>[http://www.politifact.com/virginia/statements/2014/sep/22/bob-goodlatte/goodlatte-says-us-has-oldest-working-national-cons/ Goodlatte says U.S. has the oldest working national constitution], Politifact Virginia website, September 22, 2014</ref>

In 1915, former U.S. president [[William Howard Taft]] presided over a convention at Independence Hall, where the [[League to Enforce Peace]] was formed, leading to formation of the [[League of Nations]] in 1920, and the [[United Nations]] a quarter century later, in 1945, following the end of [[World War II]].<ref>''New York Times'': [https://www.nytimes.com/1915/06/18/archives/league-to-enforce-peace-is-launched-american-branch-of-proposed.html "League to Enforce Peace is Launched," June 18, 1915], accessed January 2, 2010</ref>

The National Park that Independence Hall is a part of which also surrounds it acts as a buffer zone from the city up to a point. Independence Hall is being protected by security screening building entrance. The most significant pressures on the authenticity of the property relate to the large number of visitors, the degradation of the building due to air pollution and acid rain, and commercial development in the vicinity. Most of the urban air pollution is a result of the vehicular traffic on surrounding roads. This can lead to [[acid rain]] and surface degradation of the building’s [[brick]], [[wood]], and [[Rock (geology)|stone]] elements over time. [[Philadelphia]] has a humid climate with seasonal snow and rain as well as a wide range of seasonal temperatures, and face winds from west and northwest. These can cause biological growth, weathering, [[efflorescence]], and moisture infiltration, which may weaken mortar joints and interior wood components and deteriorate historic materials. The high levels of tourists can also result in the wear and tear of the building and may also result in accidental damage from the visitors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Weather damaging Independence Hall tower |url=https://whyy.org/articles/weather-damaging-independence-hall-tower/#:~:text=The%20tower%20at%20Independence%20Hall,elements%20and%20it%E2%80%99s%20unique%20construction. |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=WHYY |language=en-US}}</ref>