When America's founding fathers penned the United States Constitution in 1776, they included in its text the creation of a yet-to-exist district "not exceeding ten miles square" from which the country’s government would officially operate. Numerous Congressional discussions would take place in New York City debating exactly where this new district would be located and which region would get to be nearest (and possibly dearest) to the nation’s capital. "If you were on the spot my dear sir, if you could see what difficulties surround us on every side," President George Washington would write to government official Joseph Reed, lamenting that "we have almost ceased to hope."
The continuous debate stifled progress for the next fourteen years, but in 1790, Congress finally began formalizing a federal district within which this national seat would be developed. Using land from the states of Maryland and Virginia and situated on the Potomac River, the Residence Act gave the United States Congress exclusive, state-independent jurisdiction over the district while still allowing for those states to have some representation as specifics were being decided.
The to-be-city was eventually given the name of Washington in honor of George Washington, who was so invested in its planning. But it still lacked the power and structure of a functioning local government, and lack of consensus threatened progress on multiple levels. "The year 1800 is approaching by hasty strides," Washington wrote in 1796, reiterating that everyone was "extremely anxious" and pleading with the planning council to move forward.
It wasn't until May 3, 1802, three years after Washington died, that Washington, D.C. was finally incorporated as the official capital city. On that day, 222 years ago today, President Thomas Jefferson signed the legislation enacting Washington’s municipal charter. It was a move that would transfer governmental power from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, compelling more than 150 federal officials to relocate their families to a location 140 miles away and establishing the new seat of our nation’s representative capital.
Want to learn more about the city of Washington, D.C.? Explore these resources from the library databases:
Books
Ever wondered what went into the design of our nation's capital? In Building Washington: Engineering and Construction of the New Federal City, learn about why the Potomac was so important, how materials transport was a strategic focus, and the engineering feats that made the city possible.
Democratic Destiny and the District of Columbia: Federal Politics and Public Policy tackles complex politics, public policy, and urban affairs issues of both historical and modern-day Washington, D.C.
In Establishing Congress: The Removal to Washington, D.C., and the Election of 1800, read about the debates and controversies surrounding the federal government's move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Washington, D.C.
Videos
In America's New Capital, a video segment from BBC's Looking for Paradise (Art of America), learn how the founding fathers commissioned portrait artist John Trumbull to paint historical depictions of the transition to independence.
You can learn about the history of Washington, D.C. including the people, the buildings, and the evolving structure of our national government, in U.S. Capital, a video segment from The Legislative Branch (Revised).
Did you know that our nation's capital was meticulously planned, right down to potential businesses, the names of the streets, and even its view from the air? In Washington, D.C., Quest's World of Wonder takes you behind the scenes of a city designed to instill awe on a grand scale.
In Washington D.C. City Guide, you’ll learn how the current features and landmarks in Washington, D.C. intersect with its rich history. If you're short on time, you can check out specific video segments on topics like museums or memorials.
Traci Avet is a library operations specialist who focuses on course reading pages and other library operations. She's worked in libraries for over 20 years and had the pleasure of experiencing vast card catalogs and due-date card stamping.