The Icon of a Nation
Nation icons, building of the Independence Hall, Pennsylvania State House
Originally known as the Pennsylvania
State House, the building
of the Independence Hall commenced in 1732- an icon of the
unborn nation. It was the most enterprising state facility in the country
which was still under colonial rule. Since the erection was financed by
the regional government, it was completed in phases. Andrew Hamilton, the
original “Philadelphia lawyer”, presided over its setting up and toiled
to ensure its completion. His efforts bore fruits 21 years later in 1753
after the laying of the foundation stone. He is well known for his press
freedom milestone, which he accomplished while representing Peter Zenger
in 1735 in a New York Court.
Other than its renewal to the Independence Year look in 1950 by the National
Park Service committee, the edifice has been refurbished severally with
the greatest tribute, in 1830, going to none other than the Greek rebirth
prime mover John Haviland. It is arguably the cradle of the US, for it
was where the Declaration of Independence was implemented and the Statute
discussed, composed and acknowledged. Since there was no representation
from Rhode Island, the accord remains to be the father of all national
statutes composed by representatives from twelve of the first thirteen
states.
The five months’ discussions of the memorandum were overseen by George
Washington from May 1789. The consequence was a blue print with a preface
and the seven Articles. This was delivered to all states then and was
subject to acceptance by three quarters of the states that drafted it.
New Hampshire made this dream true in March 1789 by being the last of
the required states to accept the accord in June 21, 1788.
Maybe the most pronounced unique characteristic of the memorandum was
the division of the government powers into three independent institutions:
the Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary. The Legislature was further
divided into the Senate which held its proceedings on the upper floor
of the Congress Hall and the House of Representatives on the main Congress
Hall. Unlike the House of Representatives which dictated that seats be
shared out depending on the comparative size of the state in question,
the Senate had same representation from each state irrespective of its
size.
The issue of representation definitely resulted in wrangles as each state-
either big or small- fought for the placement of an administration that
leaned on their side. What is wonderful to imagine is if a level ground
on such contentious issues was attained. All in all, credit goes to the
geniuses that burnt the midnight oil to nurture the nation to withstand
and be rekindled in the face of future adversities.
