Did You Know that York PA was our Capital?

Did you know that during the American Revolutionary War the Continental Congress met at York?

As the temporary capital of the first 13 colonies the Articles of Confederation were first drafted and adopted.

However, they were  not ratified until March 1781.

York considers itself the first Capital of the United States.

However most historians generally consider it to be the fourth capital, after Philadelphia, Baltimore and Lancaster.

Why would  York advocates proclaim this notoriety?

The basis of their argument is that the  Articles of Confederation was the first legal document to refer to the colonies the name of the new nation to the world as "the United States of America".

The opposing arguments states how the Declaration of Independence is viewed  as a legal document since this world famous document also used the  same term. 

However, it's important to realized that the Declaration of Independence  would be considered a true legal document of the United States, being drafted under and in opposition to British rule.

This does not, however, prevent modern businesses and organizations in the York area, such as the First Capital Dispensing Co., First Capital Engineering and First Capital Federal Credit Union from using the name.

For those that like the more racy tidbits of the historic political battles of the day would enjoy the tale of the The Conway Cabal.  This was a tale of political intrigue against General George Washington which reportedly had its origins in the Golden Plough Tavern in York.

The Conway Cabal was a group of senior Continental Army officers in late 1777 and early 1778 who aimed to have George Washington replaced as commander-in-chief of the Army during the American Revolutionary War. It was named after Brigadier General Thomas Conway, whose letters criticizing Washington were forwarded to the Second Continental Congress.