1. In 1791, George Washington signed the "Residence Act," which established Washington, D.C. as the permanent capital of the United States. Previously, the federal government had been based in several different cities.

2. On August 16, 1812, British forces invaded Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812. They set fire to several important government buildings, including the White House and the U.S. Capitol. The attack was a major setback for the United States, but it also inspired patriotic feelings and a renewed sense of national unity.

3. In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln signed an act freeing slaves in the District of Columbia. This was an important step towards emancipation, and it made Washington, D.C. one of the first places in the United States where slavery was abolished.

4. On August 16, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave women the right to vote. The amendment was a major victory for the women's suffrage movement, and it marked a turning point in the fight for gender equality.

5. In 1977, Elvis Presley passed away at his home in Memphis, Tennessee. Although he never lived in Washington, D.C., he was a major cultural icon during the 20th century, and his music continues to be beloved by fans around the world.