
- This event has passed.
On this day – Nation’s Capital was founded!
July 16, 2022
An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 16 of July, repeating indefinitely
On July 16, 1790, our national capital, Washington, D.C., was founded on the Potomac River as George Washington signed the Residence Act into law. The president was tasked with choosing the exact location and a new district was formed from land donated by both Maryland and Virginia. 🏛🇺🇸⛲️
Ironically enough, Washington was the only U.S. president who never lived in Washington.
Did you know? The Capitol rotunda almost featured a heroically shirtless sculpture of George Washington. 💪💪💪The enthroned figure, sculpted by Horatio Greenough, made his debut in 1841. Shirtless George proved too risqué however and was quickly moved outside and then to the Smithsonian. Today you can visit him at the National Museum of American History.
View of Washington from Arlington, John Ross Key, c. 1908