The U.S. Supreme Court was originally not based in Washington, D.C. but in which city?

The U.S. Supreme Court was originally not based in Washington, D.C. but in which city?

• A. Philadelphia
• B. New York City
• C. Boston
• D. Chicago

Answer: (B)

The question is about where the Supreme Court sat before Washington, D.C. became the capital. When the young nation organized its government, the capital wasn't yet in D.C.; the Court’s first sessions were held in New York City in 1790. Later, as the capital temporarily moved to Philadelphia and the government settled its location, the Court also sat there for a period, but the very first location was New York City. That makes New York City the correct answer. Philadelphia did host early sessions too, but not the initial base, and Boston and Chicago were not early bases for the Court.

The question is about where the Supreme Court sat before Washington, D.C. became the capital. When the young nation organized its government, the capital wasn't yet in D.C.; the Court’s first sessions were held in New York City in 1790. Later, as the capital temporarily moved to Philadelphia and the government settled its location, the Court also sat there for a period, but the very first location was New York City. That makes New York City the correct answer. Philadelphia did host early sessions too, but not the initial base, and Boston and Chicago were not early bases for the Court.