Stately Knowledge: Facts about the United States

Washington, D.C.

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  • Just the Facts
  • Encyclopedias & Almanacs
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  • Did You Know
  • City’s Famous People

Abbreviation DC

Source:
United States Postal Service – Abbreviations
CapitalIt is the capital: of the United States.
Population 705,749
Source:
U.S. Census Bureau
MayorMuriel Bowser (D).
Entered the UnionFebruary 21, 1871 (as a municipal corporation)
MottoJustitia omnibus (Justice to all)
FlowerAmerican Beauty rose
BirdWood Thrush
Professional Sports Teams Washington Nationals (Baseball); Washington Wizards (Basketball);
Washington Redskins (Football); Washington Capitals (Hockey); D.C.
United (Soccer); Washington Mystics (Women’s Basketball). Note:
The Washington Redskins football team’s home stadium is in
Landover, Maryland.
(sports listing policy)
Origin of NameThe district is named after Christopher Columbus
Historical Sites and Points of Interest Numerous sites associated with the history of the United States,
including the Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials; the
Smithsonian Institution, including the National Gallery of Art and
the National Air and Space Museum; the National Archives
Bordering StatesWashington D.C. borders Virginia and Maryland.
Flag Washington D.C.'s flag

Follow these links to read articles about Washington, D.C. from
Encyclopedias and Almanacs:

Official City Links

Other City Links


  • Things To Do in Washington, DC

    http://www.thingstodo.com/states/DC/index.htm ThingsToDo.com
    is an online guide to information about Washington DC’s entertainment,
    recreation, and travel, and includes the city’s interesting facts,
    famous people, and special events.

  • Roadside America: District of Columbia Attractions

    http://www.roadsideamerica.com/map/dc.html Roadside America
    describes itself as an online guide to offbeat attractions. This site
    offers reviews of “weird sites along the highway” in the District of
    Columbia.
  • George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
    http://www.mountvernon.org/ In addition to learning basic
    information about this famous historic site, online visitors can even
    take a virtual mansion tour.
  • Washington D.C.’s official tree is the Scarlet oak.
  • The District of Columbia is is divided into four quadrants–Northwest,
    Southwest, Northeast, and Southeast–and the
    U.S. Capitol Building marks the spot where all four
    meet.
  • Washington D.C. was the
    first carefully planned capital in the world.
  • The capital of the U.S. was
    transferred from Philadelphia to Washington on Dec.
    1, 1800.
  • In 1978, a proposed constitutional amendment to give the District of
    Columbia
    voting representation in the U.S. Congress was passed
    by Congress; the proposal died in 1985, having failed to get the
    needed 28 states to approve it.

Some Famous People from this City

  • Billie Burke, comedienne and actress best known for playing
    Glenda the good witch in The Wizard of Oz.
  • Duke Ellington, jazz musician.
  • Goldie Hawn, television and movie actress whose credits include
    Laugh In and The First Wives Club.
  • J. Edgar Hoover, former director of the F.B.I.
  • John Philip Sousa, composer known for his compositions for
    marching bands.