1. The first public celebration of Independence Day in D.C. took place on July 4th, 1801, and was hosted by President Thomas Jefferson. He invited citizens to the White House, where they enjoyed a public dinner, music, and fireworks.

2. The annual Fourth of July parade in D.C. has been a tradition since 1947, and is one of the largest Independence Day parades in the country. It features marching bands, floats, and military units, and is a popular event for both locals and tourists.

3. On July 4th, 1828, former president John Quincy Adams laid the cornerstone for the Washington Monument. The monument was designed to honor the first president of the United States, George Washington, and is now one of the most iconic landmarks in the city.

4. In 1848, the cornerstone for the Smithsonian Institution was laid on July 4th. The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum and research complex, and is made up of 19 different museums and galleries, as well as the National Zoo.

5. Since 1942, the National Symphony Orchestra has performed a free concert on the U.S. Capitol's West Lawn on the Fourth of July. The concert, which is now known as "A Capitol Fourth," attracts more than half a million people each year, and is broadcast live on PBS.