1. In 1800, the United States Capitol was temporarily located in the District of Columbia. On December 29 of that year, President John Adams signed a bill authorizing the move to Washington, D.C.

2. On December 29, 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The museum is home to over 150,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs.

3. In 1960, the District of Columbia was hit by a severe winter storm that paralyzed the city for several days. On December 29, the storm dumped more than six inches of snow on the capital, making travel and communication nearly impossible.

4. On December 29, 1944, the Washington Redskins won their first NFL championship by defeating the Chicago Bears 14-6 in a dramatic upset. The game was played at Griffith Stadium, which was located in the city's Petworth neighborhood.

5. In 1985, President Ronald Reagan signed the Goldwater-Nichols Act into law on December 29. The act reformed the structure and organization of the United States military, creating a more joint and integrated approach to defense.