Today In History
5 Fun Facts About August 15 In District Of Columbia History
1. The White House was burned down in 1814: On August 15, 1814, during the War of 1812, British forces invaded Washington, D.C. and set fire to many buildings, including the White House. As a result, President James Madison had to flee the city. 2. The Washington Monument was opened...
5 Fun Facts About August 14 In District Of Columbia History
1. On August 14, 1971, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) officially began operations. Consisting of a network of buses and trains connecting the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, the WMATA has become an integral part of daily life for many residents and visitors. 2. August 14, 1935,...
5 Fun Facts About August 13 In District Of Columbia History
1. In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to over 250,000 civil rights protesters. The historic march on Washington was a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement and is remembered as one of the largest...
5 Fun Facts About August 9 In District Of Columbia History
1. In 1842, the famous American author Herman Melville arrived in Washington D.C. During his time there, he visited the White House and met with President John Tyler. 2. On August 9, 1969, hundreds of anti-Vietnam War protestors staged a peaceful sit-in at the Justice Department headquarters in D.C. Police...
5 Fun Facts About August 8 In District Of Columbia History
1. The District of Columbia was established on August 8, 1791. The Residence Act of 1790 was signed into law by President George Washington, setting in motion the creation of a new capital district along the Potomac River. 2. The Washington Monument, one of the most iconic landmarks in Washington...
5 Fun Facts About August 7 In District Of Columbia History
1. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) was founded on August 7, 1967. This organization was created to maintain and improve the public transportation system in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, which includes Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. 2. On August 7, 1782, a group of Native American tribes...
5 Fun Facts About August 4 In District Of Columbia History
1. On August 4, 1914, Washington D.C. held a "preparedness parade" in response to the outbreak of World War I. The parade featured military units, patriotic floats, and speeches by prominent politicians. 2. In 1964, the Beatles played their first concert in the District of Columbia at the Washington Coliseum...
5 Fun Facts About August 3 In District Of Columbia History
1. 1846: The Washington Monument is dedicated - After 37 years of construction, the Washington Monument in the National Mall was finally dedicated on August 3, 1846. The monument was built to honor the first president of the United States, George Washington. 2. 1963: Civil Rights March on Washington -...
5 Fun Facts About August 2 In District Of Columbia History
1. On August 2, 1917, the Washington Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was officially founded in the District of Columbia. The organization played a crucial role in the civil rights movement and continues to fight for social justice today. 2. In 1923, President...
5 Fun Facts About August 1 In District Of Columbia History
1. The District of Columbia was founded on August 1, 1790 On August 1, 1790, the Residence Act was passed by the United States Congress, which brought the federal government to a new permanent capital, which was located on the Potomac River. The capital was named the District of Columbia...
5 Fun Facts About July 30 In District Of Columbia History
1. On July 30, 1866, Congress passed an act granting suffrage to African-American men in the District of Columbia. This marked an important step towards equal voting rights for all citizens and was a precursor to the 15th amendment to the US Constitution. 2. In 1912, the first electric streetcar...
5 Fun Facts About July 27 In District Of Columbia History
1. In 1794, the first execution by hanging took place in the newly created District of Columbia. James Greenleaf, a land speculator, was convicted of forgery and sentenced to death. 2. On July 27, 1861, the Union Army scored a decisive victory over Confederate forces in the Battle of Bull...