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Washington DC

Although New York City and Philadelphia each served briefly as the capital of the United States, in 1790, Congress chose the District of Columbia as the permanent seat of government. George Washington helped select the site for the city. Situated on the Potomac River, Washington, D.C., was originally carved out of land transferred from Maryland and Virginia (Virginia's portion south of the river was returned to that state in 1846).

French-born American engineer, architect, and urban designer Pierre-Charles L'Enfant designed the city's basic plan, which features wide avenues radiating from the Capitol building through a grid of streets with numerous circles and parks. Congress first met in Washington in 1800, although construction of the first phase of the Capitol was not completed until 1826. Today, millions come to Washington, D.C. each year to see the Capitol, the White House, the Library of Congress, and the city's many museums and monuments. The flower is the American beauty rose.

George Washington Memorial Parkway - Washington DC White House

George Washington Memorial Parkway - Washington DC White House

Georgetown - Old Streetcar Barn

Georgetown - Old Streetcar Barn

Georgetown, Washington D.C. at Night

Georgetown, Washington  D.C. at Night

Martin Luthe King, Jr - White House

MartinLutherKingJrWhiteHouseWarrenKLeffler1963

Washington D.C. - U.S. Capitol at Night

USCapitol-nps

Washington DC - Ariel Rios Federal Building Artwork

Washington DC -  Ariel Rios Federal Building Artwork

Washington DC - Barn Doors St. Elizabeths Hospital

Washington, DC - Barn Doors St. Elizabeths Hospital

Washington DC - Cafe, 1937

cafe. Washington, D.C.JohnVachon1937

Washington DC - Civil Rights Demonstrators, 1963

Washington DC -  Civil Rights Demonstrators, 1963

Washington DC - Fireworks

Washington DC -  Fireworks

Washington DC - Peoples Drug Store, 1922

Washington DC -  Peoples Drug Store, 1922

Washington DC - Rock Creek Park

Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C-CHighsmith2006

Washington DC - St. Patricks Church

Washington DC -  St. Patricks Church

Washington DC - U.S. Congress in 1866

Washington DC -  U.S. Congress in 1866

Washington DC - Union Station

Washington DC -  Union Station

Washington DC - Union Station

Washington DC -  Union Station

Washington DC - Union Station, 1910

Washington DC -  Union Station, 1910

Washington DC - United States Capitol, 1902

Washington DC -  United States Capitol, 1902

Washington DC - United States Commerce Building

Washington DC -  United States Commerce Building

Washington DC - United States Senate, 1850

Washington DC -  United States Senate, 1850