1. In 1799, George Washington's funeral was held in the District of Columbia. He had requested to be buried at Mount Vernon, but his family decided to move his remains to a tomb at the Capitol until a new tomb could be built at his estate.

2. On December 14, 1819, the Bank of the United States opened its first branch in the District of Columbia. This was part of an effort to establish a national banking system and stabilize the economy.

3. The Smithsonian Institution was established on December 14, 1846, by an act of Congress. The institution's mission is to "increase and diffuse knowledge" through research, education, and public outreach.

4. In 1918, the Washington Post building was dedicated on December 14. The building was designed by renowned architect Edward Durrell Stone and has since become an iconic landmark in the city.

5. On December 14, 1973, the District of Columbia Home Rule Act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon. This act granted limited self-governance to the District of Columbia, allowing for the election of a mayor and city council. Prior to this, the city was governed by a federally appointed commissioner.