Why is washington dc important

On July 16, , the Residence Act established that this capital district would be located along the Potomac River and President George Washington would decide exactly where. Initially, Washington, D. First, a federal city was constructed near Georgetown and on September 9, , the city was named Washington and the newly established federal district was named Columbia. In , the Organic Act officially organized the District of Columbia and it was expanded to include Washington, Georgetown, and Alexandria.

In August , Washington, D. They were quickly repaired, however, and governmental operations resumed. In , Washington, D. This is the region that became known as today's Washington, D. Today, Washington, D. The U. Congress, however, has the highest authority over the area and it can overturn local laws if necessary.

In addition, residents of Washington, D. In addition to government jobs, Washington, D. The total area of Washington, D. The area is surrounded by Maryland on three sides and Virginia to the south.

The highest point in Washington, D. Capitol Building and the Library of Congress were burned to the ground. Because of this, and the fact that abolitionist Frederick Douglass took up residence there, the African American population grew steadily within the city.

Neighborhoods developed downtown and around the Capitol and the White House and streetcar lines were expanded adding even more energy to the growth of the city.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Fires destroyed numerous buildings and rioting continued for three days, only stopping after federal troops were called in. Walter Washington became both the first elected and first black mayor of Washington DC. Millions of artifacts, works of art and diverse items call Washington DC home and are on display for visitors to see and discover. And for the budget conscious traveler, admission to all of the Smithsonian museums is always free.

At one end, the Washington Monument, soaring feet into the sky, makes an iconic statement and is considered by many to be the most recognizable symbol of the city. At the opposite end, the site of the Lincoln Memorial will simply take your breath away. Funny Fill-In. Amazing Animals. Weird But True! Party Animals. Try This! Explore More. Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Explore more. Video: 50 Birds, 50 States Barry the bald eagle soars from coast to coast to meet state birds and learn about their homes.

It remains a vibrant and culturally diverse city today. In fact, DC recognized same-sex marriage in , before the Supreme Court, nearby, ruled that it was a right in Walter E. The History of Washington, DC. Share this. Founded in , the nation's capital has been a dynamic city with plenty of highs and lows to match its place in American history.

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