Plans for the 1987 session were to include every member of the 100th Congress, but security, space, and cost made that impossible. Each state delegation appointed one lawmaker to attend the gathering. Thousands of people gathered on the mall outside Independence Hall to watch the proceedings on big screens.
Independence Hall cannot accommodate all 535 members of Congress, so a smaller delegation is expected to visit Philadelphia next month. Neither House Speaker Mike Johnson nor Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ offices immediately responded to requests for comment.
The planned gathering comes amid celebrations across the country to mark the nation’s 250th birthday. President Donald Trump has organized a UFC fight June 14th at the White House, part of a slate of celebratory “Freedom 250” events taking place from June 25 to July 10.
In Philadelphia, a national march of mayors is also planned for July 2, with mayors from around the U.S. marching from City Hall to Independence Hall. Pope Leo is also receiving (virtually) the medal of honor at the National Constitution Center that day. On July 4 Philadelphia will host a Round of 16 World Cup game and a large free outdoor concert on the parkway.
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