Before Washington, D.C., became the permanent capital of the United States in 1800, the nation’s Congress convened in several cities, including Baltimore, Trenton, and New York City. The selection of a permanent capital was a subject of considerable debate among the fledgling nation’s leaders. This deliberation culminated in the Residence Act of July 1790. This pivotal legislation mandated that the new capital be established along the Potomac River and empowered President George Washington to designate the precise location. Furthermore, Washington was authorized to appoint three commissioners to oversee the development of this federal city, with a deadline set for December 1800 to complete a legislative building for Congress and an executive residence for the President.
The Territory of Columbia is Chosen
In January 1791, President Washington announced his selection for the federal district: a 100-square-mile area of land ceded by both Maryland and Virginia. It’s important to note that in 1846, the Virginia portion was returned, reducing the district’s size by approximately one-third. By September of the same year, the commissioners decided to name the federal city in honor of the President, thus “Washington.” They further designated the surrounding district as the “Territory of Columbia.” The name “Columbia,” a poetic and patriotic reference to the United States during the American Revolution, was derived from the explorer Christopher Columbus. Interestingly, the official name later evolved. In 1871, the Territory of Columbia was formally renamed the District of Columbia, the name we use today.
Planning and Early Days of the District of Columbia
During the spring of 1791, President Washington engaged Pierre Charles L’Enfant, a French-born architect and engineer with service in the Continental Army, to design the capital city. L’Enfant envisioned a city characterized by grand avenues and expansive public spaces. However, his ambitious plans and strong personality led to conflicts with the appointed commissioners and local landowners. Consequently, L’Enfant was compelled to resign from the project within a year. His initial design, despite the controversies, served as the foundation for subsequent city planners.
Congress officially convened in Washington for the first time in November 1800, although George Washington himself had passed away in December of the preceding year. In February 1801, the District of Columbia, which then included the cities of Alexandria and Georgetown, was formally placed under the jurisdiction of Congress.
District of Columbia Today
Today, the District of Columbia, often referred to as Washington D.C., is a vibrant capital city with a population exceeding 650,000 residents. While these residents are represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by a non-voting delegate, they gained the right to vote for president in 1964, thanks to the 23rd Amendment. Since 1974, Washington D.C. citizens have also had the right to elect their own mayor and city council, marking significant steps in local self-governance. The name “District of Columbia” therefore reflects both its unique status as the nation’s capital district and its historical roots, linking it back to the symbolic figure of Columbia and the early vision for the United States.
