Here are 5 interesting historical facts about December 6 in the District of Columbia:

1. In 1973, Washington D.C. suffered an almost unprecedented power outage as a result of a transmission line failure. The outage lasted almost a full day and affected much of the city, causing transportation, communication and safety issues.

2. In 1884, the Washington Monument was finally completed after years of construction. It stands at 555 feet tall and is made of approximately 36,000 marble blocks.

3. In 1877, one of the most disastrous fires in Washington D.C.’s history broke out at the Washington Navy Yard, causing extensive damage to the buildings and equipment there.

4. In 1968, following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., riots broke out in the city causing significant destruction and loss of life. The National Guard was called in to help restore order.

5. In 1987, the famous “Christmas in Washington” concert was first held at the National Building Museum. The annual event brings together top musical performers to celebrate the holiday season and raise money for charity.