On This Date in 1777—and Only This Date—Lancaster, Penn., Was the Capital of the United States
© Richard T. Nowitz/CORBIS
If you’ve visited Lancaster, Penn., you probably remember it as a nice mid-sized city right in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish country. What you might not know is that 235 years ago today, it became our young country’s third capital city, a position it held only briefly. Very, very briefly. Let’s take a look at how Lancaster became our capital for a single day.
History, y’all.
PHOTO OF THE DAY: The dome of the U.S. Capitol is seen behind flowers on a cloudy Friday in Washington. (Chet Susslin/National Journal)
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member John McCain, R-Ariz., talks with reporters after a closed committee meeting in the U.S. Capitol on Friday. McCain and other committee members were briefed by officials from the Pentagon about the current military situation in Libya, where rebels are clashing with forces loyal to Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
One Person’s Gesture, One Nation’s Sentiment
A woman placed flowers by the office of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today on Capitol Hill in Washington. Giffords is in critical condition after being shot in the head by a gunman. Statements of support are coming from numerous members of Congress, and a candlelight vigil will be held in Washington tonight. Read more »
