New York City: Revolution
By the 1750s the city had reached a population of 16,000, spread roughly as far north as Chambers Street. As the new community grew more confident, it realized that it could exist independently of the government in Britain. In a way, New York's role during the War of Independence was not critical, for all the battles fought in and around the city were generally won by the British, who ultimately lost the war. George Washington , who had held the American army together by sheer willpower, celebrated in New York riding in triumphal procession down Canal Street and saying farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern , a building that still stands at the end of Pearl Street. On April 30, 1789, Washington took the oath of president at the site of the Federal Hall National Memorial on Wall Street. The federal government was transferred to the District of Columbia one year later.
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