Capitals of the United States . Until the Constitution was adopted in 1788, there was no provision for a permanent capital of the United States. The capital was whatever city Congress chose as a meeting place. In all, nine cities have been the capital since the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. They are:

Philadelphia July 4, 1776-December, 1776

Baltimore Dec. 20, 1776-March, 1777

Philadelphia March 4, 1777-September, 1777

Lancaster, Pa. Sept. 27, 1777

York, Pa. Sept. 30, 1777-July, 1778

Philadelphia July 2, 1778-June, 1783

Princeton, NJ. June 30, 1783-November, 1783

Annapolis, Md. Nov. 26, 1783-November, 1784

Trenton, NJ. Nov. 30, 1784-January, 1785

New York City Jan. 11, 1785-June, 1790

Philadelphia June, 1790-November, 1800

Washington, D.C. Since November, 1800