The first capital of the United States was actually located in several cities. The United States was initially governed under the Articles of Confederation, and its capital was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1781 to 1783. However, when the Constitution was ratified in 1789, the government moved to New York City, which served as the first capital under the new Constitution until 1790. In 1790, the capital was moved again, this time to Philadelphia, where it remained until 1800. In that year, the capital was finally moved to its permanent location in Washington, D.C.