Washington, D.C. history

The history of Washington, D.C. is unique — it is one of the few cities in the world that was specifically designed and built to perform capital functions, rather than evolving from an existing settlement.

Foundation and first mentions. The decision to create a new capital was made shortly after the Revolutionary War. On July 16, 1790, the US Congress passed the "Residence Act," which was the result of a political compromise. Northern states agreed to place the capital in the South in exchange for the federal government assuming state debts accumulated during the war. President George Washington was entrusted with selecting the exact location on the Potomac River on lands ceded by the states of Maryland and Virginia. The city was officially founded in 1791 and named after Washington, while the federal district was named Columbia — after the poetic symbol of the Americas. The federal government moved to the new capital in 1800.

Key factors of formation. From the very beginning, the city's development was determined by several main factors:

• Political role: The main goal was to create a neutral territory for the federal government, independent of the influence of any single state. This laid the foundation for Washington's identity as the administrative and political centre of the country.
• Geographical location: The location on the Potomac River was not only a compromise between the North and South but also held strategic importance for transport and trade in the 18th century.
• Urban planning: The city's design was developed by the French military engineer Pierre Charles L'Enfant. His ambitious Baroque-style plan envisaged wide diagonal avenues intersecting a grid of streets, and large open spaces, which gave the city its monumental appearance today.

Early cultural and economic features. At the dawn of its history, Washington differed significantly from modern metropolises. Its development was unique:

• Economy and construction: The initial economy was entirely focused on the construction of government buildings. The cornerstone of the President's residence (later the White House) was laid in 1792, and the Capitol in 1793. In the early decades, the city resembled a large construction site with a sparse population.
• Architecture and symbolism: Majestic buildings in the Neoclassical style were intended to reflect the ideals and power of the young republic, drawing parallels with Ancient Greece and Rome.
• Early society: The city's population was diverse from the start. A significant contribution to the construction of the capital, including iconic landmarks like the White House and the Capitol, was made by African Americans — both free and enslaved.
• War of 1812: An important event in the city's early history was the capture and burning of Washington by British troops in 1814, resulting in the destruction and subsequent restoration of many public buildings, including the Capitol and the White House.

Key Milestones in Washington's History

• 1790 — The US Congress approves the "Residence Act," launching the creation of a new federal centre on the Potomac River chosen by President George Washington.
• 1791 — The city is officially established and named in honour of George Washington, and the federal district receives the name Columbia — a poetic symbol of America.
• 1792–1793 — Monumental construction begins: the cornerstones are laid for the future President's residence (the White House) and the US Capitol, destined to become the architectural heart of the nation.
• 1800 — The federal government officially moves from Philadelphia to Washington, and the city begins to perform its capital functions.
• 1814 — During the War of 1812, British troops capture and burn many government buildings, including the White House and the Capitol. This event was a severe trial for the young capital.
• 1846 — The Smithsonian Institution is founded, marking the beginning of the creation of the world's largest museum and research complex, which today is one of Washington's main attractions that is free to visit.
• 1862 — President Abraham Lincoln signs the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act — nine months before the famous Emancipation Proclamation.
• 1885 — After nearly 40 years of construction, the Washington Monument is completed, becoming the tallest structure in the world at that time.
• 1912 — As a gesture of friendship from Japan, Washington receives thousands of cherry blossom saplings as a gift. Planted around the Tidal Basin, they become a symbol of spring and the occasion for the famous National Cherry Blossom Festival.
• 1922 — The Lincoln Memorial opens, becoming one of the most recognisable and symbolic monuments not only in Washington but across the entire country.
• 1963 — The historic "March on Washington" takes place at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his legendary "I Have a Dream" speech.
• 1976 — The first line of the Washington Metro opens, which is today considered one of the most convenient and clean transport systems in the USA.
• 2001 — The city endures the tragedy of September 11: one of the terrorist attacks was directed at the Pentagon building, located in the immediate vicinity of the capital.

Urban Planning Vision: From L'Enfant to McMillan

The foundation of Washington's unique appearance was Pierre L'Enfant's ambitious 1791 plan, which determined the location of key buildings and established a system of wide diagonal avenues. However, by the end of the 19th century, the city was being built up chaotically, and the original idea was almost lost. In 1902, the McMillan Plan breathed new life into L'Enfant's concept. It led to the creation of the National Mall in its modern form, clearing it of industrial structures and railway tracks, and formed the monumental city centre as we know it today.

Birth of a Cultural Capital: The Smithsonian Institution

The founding of the Smithsonian Institution in 1846 was a turning point in the city's cultural development. The bequest of British scientist James Smithson allowed for the creation of an "establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge." This initiated the formation of the world's largest museum, educational, and research complex. Today, the Smithsonian museums, which are free for visitors, are a hallmark of Washington and attract millions of tourists from all over the world.

Centre for Civil Rights Struggles

Washington played a key role in the history of the struggle for equality in the USA. An important step was the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia in 1862, almost a year before the nationwide Emancipation Proclamation. The culmination of this struggle was the famous "March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom" in 1963, when Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial. These events cemented the city's status as the symbolic centre of the civil rights movement.

Path to Self-Governance: Home Rule Act

For a long time, residents of Washington did not have their own elected government and were governed directly by the US Congress. The situation changed with the adoption of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act in 1973. This law granted the city the right to elect its own mayor and city council, which was a crucial step towards gaining political autonomy and allowed local authorities to directly address issues of budget, education, and urban development.

Infrastructural Breakthrough: Creation of the Metro

The opening of the first line of the Washington Metro in 1976 fundamentally changed city life. The metro system not only connected the centre with expanding suburbs in the neighbouring states of Maryland and Virginia but also contributed to economic growth and the development of new residential and business districts around the stations. Today, Metrorail is considered one of the most efficient and clean public transport systems in the country, playing a key role in the daily life of the capital region.

Economic Diversification

Although Washington's economy has traditionally relied on the federal government, significant diversification has occurred in recent decades. The city and its metropolitan area have turned into a major hub for technology companies, biotechnology, consulting, and international business. The growth of the private sector has not only created thousands of new jobs but also changed the social and cultural landscape of the capital, making it more dynamic and multifaceted.

The architectural appearance of Washington, D.C. is a visual history of the American nation, reflected in stone, steel, and glass. The city, originally planned as a majestic capital, demonstrates the changing of eras through a variety of architectural styles — from strict Neoclassicism to bold Brutalism and modern design. Its development was determined not only by aesthetic trends but also by key urban planning decisions, such as the L'Enfant Plan and the McMillan Plan.

Neoclassicism and Federal Style: Birth of the Capital (Late 18th – Early 19th Century)

At the heart of Washington's architecture lies Neoclassicism, chosen by the Founding Fathers to emphasise the young republic's connection with the ideals of Ancient Greece and Rome. Monumental government buildings with their columns, porticoes, and domes were meant to symbolise democracy, power, and durability. This style dominates the heart of the city — on the National Mall.

• US Capitol: Construction of this majestic building began in 1793, and its appearance took shape over decades, becoming the brightest example of American Neoclassicism.
• The White House: The official residence of the President, built in the Palladian style (a variety of classicism), is a symbol of the country's executive power.
• Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial: These later structures are also executed in a strict classical style, reminiscent of ancient Greek temples and the Roman Pantheon.

Victorian Era: Gothic Revival and Beaux-Arts (Mid and Late 19th Century)

In the second half of the 19th century, as the city grew, more diversity appeared in its architecture. These styles reflected the wealth and eclectic tastes of the "Gilded Age."

• Gothic Revival: This style, inspired by medieval cathedrals, found its embodiment in the Smithsonian Castle (1855) — the first building of the famous museum complex. A later and grander example is the Washington National Cathedral, the construction of which was carried out from 1907 to 1990.
• Beaux-Arts: This lush and decorative style, originating from the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, was ideally suited for buildings intended to demonstrate the nation's cultural and intellectual wealth. The brightest example is the Library of Congress (Thomas Jefferson Building), astounding with the luxury of its interiors.

20th Century: Modernism, Brutalism, and Postmodernism

In the 20th century, the capital's architecture developed in line with global trends, albeit with an eye on the historical surroundings and strict restrictions on building heights.

• Modernism: This style is characterised by clean lines, functionality, and the use of modern materials such as glass and steel. An example is the Hirshhorn Museum with its unique circular shape.
• Brutalism: In the 1960s and 1970s, several iconic buildings in the Brutalist style appeared in Washington, distinguished by massive forms and the use of raw concrete (béton brut). The most famous and controversial examples are the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building and the Washington Metro stations with their coffered vaults.
• Postmodernism and Contemporary Architecture: Since the end of the 20th century, architects have begun to turn to historical forms again, but in a playful and reinterpreted manner. An example is the National Museum of the American Indian, whose curved lines and natural materials reference natural landscapes.

Notable Figures Associated with Washington

Washington, D.C. has historically been a centre of attraction for many prominent figures whose names are forever inscribed not only in the history of the city but also of the entire country.

• George Washington (1732–1799)

  First President of the USA and "Founding Father". Although he never lived in the completed White House, it was George Washington who selected the location of the future capital on the Potomac River and approved its urban plan. The city was named in his honour, forever linking his name with the political heart of America.

• Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)

  16th President of the USA, who led the country during the Civil War. His work in Washington was aimed at preserving the unity of the nation and abolishing slavery. In 1862, he signed the act emancipating enslaved people in the District of Columbia. Today, the Lincoln Memorial is one of the most visited and symbolic monuments in the capital.

• Frederick Douglass (1818–1895)

  Writer, orator, and leader of the abolitionist movement. After the Civil War, Douglass moved to Washington, where he held several high government posts, becoming an influential figure in the social and political life of the capital. His home in the Anacostia neighbourhood ("Cedar Hill") is today a National Historic Site.

• Duke Ellington (1899–1974)

  Legendary jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader. A native of Washington, Duke Ellington began his musical career right here, made a huge contribution to the development of jazz, and became one of the city's most famous cultural ambassadors. A school of the arts and a bridge are named in his honour, and a monument has been erected to him.

• Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968)

  Leader of the civil rights movement. Although he was not a permanent resident of the city, Washington became the stage for one of the key moments in US history. In 1963, at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial, he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the "March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom."

• Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924)

  28th President of the USA, Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Wilson is the only president who remained living in Washington after the end of his term. His house in the Kalorama neighbourhood is a museum today, and he himself is buried in the Washington National Cathedral, making him the only president to find his final resting place within the capital.

• Sandra Bullock (born 1964)

  Actress and producer, Oscar winner. Although born in Virginia, Sandra spent her childhood and youth in Washington, where she graduated from Washington-Liberty High School. She is one of many modern celebrities whose biography is connected to the US capital.