Today in History: Washington D.C.

Today in History–July 16–the Library of Congress features Washington D.C. It’s designation as the United States capital city was assured on this date in 1790 with the signing of the Residence Act. Learn more about the planning of this singular city by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures.

Primary source items: choosing a capital

• Capital Location Negotiated
• Georgetown: Suburb of the New Federal City
• Location of Capital Spurs Partisan Bickering
• Locating the National Capital
• Plans for the Future Capital District
• New Federal Capital City in the District of Columbia
• President Adams Moves Capital to District of Columbia
• Site of Capital Before the Federal City
• Survey of the Site for the Federal City of Washington
• Original Plan of Washington D.C.

Primary source sets

• District of Columbia primary source set with teacher’s guide
• The City of Washington: From the Serial Set story map
• Washington, D.C. maps
• Washington, D.C., Sights Before 1850: A Select List of Images
• Washington, D.C. images
• Washington D.C. books & articles
• Washington, D.C. in the Manuscript Reading Room 
• Washington, D.C. newspapers
• Washington, D.C. oral histories
• Washington, D.C. sheet music
• Washington D.C. legislation
• Washington D.C. Guide to Law Online
• Today in History
  • Abolition in D.C.
  • The Burning of Washington
  • Cherry Blossoms
  • Pennsylvania Avenue
  • Washington Monument
  • The White House

Washington, D.C. resource guide

A History of the City of Washington, Its Men and Institutions 1903

Library blog posts

• The Changing Face of Washington, D.C. in the U.S News & World Report Magazine Photo Collection Picture This January 28, 2022
• An Irishman, a U.S. President, and the First Hanging in the District of Columbia History Unfolded: Manuscripts March 17, 2022 by
• Navigating Liberty’s Promise: Black Women in Washington, DC and the End of Slavery Insights March 31, 2022
• Visualizing DC’s Municipal Infrastructure,1890 to 2022 Worlds Revealed: Geography & Maps February 25, 2022

Washington, D.C. stories from America’s Library

Guided primary source analysis: Washington D.C. Invites You to the Opening of Congress