20 Fun Facts About Washington DC

What is the official name of Washington D.C.?

The 'D.C.' in Washington D.C. officially stands for 'District of Columbia'. 'Columbia' was a poetic name for the United States, inspired by Christopher Columbus, and was a patriotic reference to the U.S. during the American Revolution era.

Which major river flows along the southwestern border of Washington D.C.?

The Potomac River forms Washington D.C.'s southwestern and southern border with the U.S. state of Virginia.

Which iconic obelisk monument stands prominently on the National Mall in Washington D.C.?

The Washington Monument is a prominent obelisk on the National Mall, built to commemorate George Washington, the first U.S. President.

Who was the French-American engineer and architect responsible for designing the original layout of Washington D.C.?

Pierre Charles L'Enfant, a French-American engineer, designed the original plan for Washington D.C. in 1791, featuring grand boulevards and ceremonial spaces.

In what year was Washington D.C. officially established as the permanent capital of the United States?

The Residence Act, adopted on July 16, 1790, approved the creation of the capital district along the Potomac River, and is considered the city's founding date.

Which institution operates a vast complex of museums and research centers, many of which are located on the National Mall?

The Smithsonian Institution is a group of museums and research centers, many of which are situated on the National Mall, offering free admission to visitors.

What is the name of the building that houses the U.S. Congress?

The United States Capitol Building is where the U.S. Congress convenes, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Which President's memorial features a large, seated marble statue and is inscribed with two of his famous speeches?

The Lincoln Memorial honors Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. President, and includes a large seated statue and excerpts from his Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address.

What type of animal is Screech, the official mascot of the Washington Nationals baseball team?

Screech is a bald eagle, serving as the official mascot for the Washington Nationals, the city's Major League Baseball team.

What is the highest natural point in Washington D.C.?

Fort Reno Park in Northwest D.C. is recognized as the highest natural point in Washington D.C., offering panoramic views of the city.

Which of these is NOT considered one of the three main branches of the U.S. federal government headquartered in D.C.?

The U.S. federal government is composed of three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The diplomatic branch is not one of the three constitutional branches.

The Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. is famously surrounded by what type of flowering trees, gifted from Japan?

The Tidal Basin is renowned for its Yoshino cherry blossom trees, which were a gift from Japan in 1912 and draw millions of visitors each spring.

What is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States?

The White House, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, serves as the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States.

Which famous library, the largest in the world, is located next to the U.S. Capitol Building?

The Library of Congress, the official research library of the U.S. Congress and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States, is located adjacent to the U.S. Capitol.

The J. Edgar Hoover Building is the headquarters of which federal agency?

The J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington D.C. serves as the headquarters for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

What historic theater in D.C. was the site of President Abraham Lincoln's assassination?

Ford's Theatre is infamous as the location where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865.

What is the professional NBA team based in Washington D.C.?

The Washington Wizards are the professional basketball team representing Washington D.C. in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The Washington National Cathedral is officially known by what longer, formal name?

The Washington National Cathedral's full official name is the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, serving as the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington.

Which foundational U.S. document is NOT primarily housed at the National Archives Building in Washington D.C.?

The National Archives Building in Washington D.C. is the permanent home of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, collectively known as the Charters of Freedom. The Emancipation Proclamation is also held by the National Archives, but it's not one of the 'Charters of Freedom' typically cited as being 'primarily housed' in the rotunda in the same way as the others.

Before it was named Washington, D.C., what was the name given to the federal district in 1791 by the commissioners?

In September 1791, the three commissioners overseeing the capital's construction named the federal district the Territory of Columbia, while the city within it was named the City of Washington.