American History
Related: About this forumThe Founding of the United States
On This Day in History > July 16, 1790:
Congress declares Washington, D.C. new capital
"On July 16, 1790, the young American Congress declares that a swampy, humid, muddy and mosquito-infested site on the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia will be the nations permanent capital. Washington, in the newly designated federal District of Columbia, was named after the leader of the American Revolution and the countrys first president: George Washington. It was Washington who saw the areas potential economic and accessibility benefits due to the proximity of navigable rivers.
George Washington, who had been in office just over a year when the capital site was determined, asked a French architect and city planner named Pierre L Enfant to design the capital. In 1793, the first cornerstones of the presidents mansion, which was eventually renamed the White House, were laid. George Washington, however, never lived in the mansion as it was not inhabitable until 1800. Instead, President John Adams and his wife Abigail were the White Houses first residents. They lived there less than a year; Thomas Jefferson moved in in 1801."
History.com Editors
samnsara
(18,282 posts)..hes been gone for years but i have his trunk o stuff and i found a copy of the constitution that he always carried with him when he was working ( he was one of the good cops). Ive been reading it and its very interesting...but leaves me with a lot of questions. I Would love a DU room where the constitution can be studied and someone with real knowledge of the document can answer questions or lead discussions. A Constitution Sunday School!
2naSalit
(92,752 posts)Civics understanding is needed right now, we can't wait for schools to do it.