Official Symbols

Bird
Wood Thrush
Tree
Scarlet Oak
Flower
American Beauty Rose

Washington, District of Columbia
Capital of the United States of America: Washington, District of Columbia
Established: June 11, 1800		Nickname: D.C.
Origin of Name: The name Washington is in honor the first president of the USA, George Washington. The name Columbia honors Christopher Columbus.
Official Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All)
Official Song: The Star-Spangled Banner
National Monuments: 7
Famous for: America's National capitol city, Presidential Monuments, War Memorials, Congressional Building, The White House, Supreme Court, Smithsonian Institute, the National Zoo, National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Air & Space Museum
Monuments, Animals, State Bird: Click on Photos to learn more about them.

Piscataway Native Americans lived in the Washington D.C. area.

The Residence Bill of July 16, 1790, established a site along the Potomac to be the capital. This federal district was first called the Territory of Columbia and the federal city the City of Washington. The name changed to the District of Columbia in 1793.

In 1790 the rivalry of Northern and Southern states for the capital's location ended when Jefferson's followers supported Hamilton's program for federal assumption of state debts in return for an agreement to situate the national capital on the banks of the Potomac River. George Washington selected the exact spot.

The “Federal City” was designed by Pierre L'Enfant and laid out by Andrew Ellicott. Construction began on the White House in 1792 and on the Capitol the following year.

John Adams was the first president to occupy the White House. Congress held its first session in Washington in 1800, and Thomas Jefferson was the first president to be inaugurated in the new capital.

In the War of 1812 the British sacked (1814) Washington, burning most of the public buildings, including the Capitol and the White House.

After 1901, Washington was developed on the basis of the resurrected L'Enfant plan—a gridiron arrangement of streets cut by diagonal avenues radiating from the Capitol and White House, with an elaborate system of parks.

Washington is the legislative, administrative, and judicial center of the United States but has little industry; its business is government, and hundreds of thousands are so employed in the metropolitan area. The city is also a major tourist attraction and a cultural center.

The design of Washington D.C.'s flag was based on the shield from George Washington's family's coat of arms.

The most popular museum in DC is the National Air and Space Museum, which has had 219 million visitors in its first 25 years.

Marine One is the call sign used when the President is on board one of the HMX-1 Marine helicopters. The primary presidential helicopter is the Sikorsky VH-3D (Sea King).

DC has 715 libraries—only 118 fewer than New York City. Of adults 25 and older in DC, about 63% have at least a bachelor's degree.

Washington, DC, is among the highest in the nation in educational attainment.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, is one of the world's largest churches. Architecturally, it is notable as a combination of Romanesque and Byzantine styles.

D.C.'s daytime population is estimated at 982,853 -- an influx of over 410,000 workers into the city on a normal business day comprises a 72% increase of the capital's normal population.

D.C. Ethnic Roots: 32% Caucasion (mostly British), 58% African, 7% Hispanic (mostly Salvadoran), 3.6% Asian.

Religion in D.C.: 72% Christian (27% Catholic, 19% Baptist, 26% other Protestant churches), 13% No Religion, 4% Buddhist, 2% Muslim, and 1% Jewish.

The National Zoo is home to thousands of animals from all over the world. Admission is Free!

At a Glance

Washington DC Quick Facts

Nickname	D.C.
State Bird	Wood Thrush
State Flower	American Beauty Rose
State Tree	Scarlet Oak

Voices of America

In Their Own Words

Patrick Henry

"It is when people forget God that tyrants forge their chains."

Patriot

Benjamin Franklin

"The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God Governs the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?"

Founding Father

Samuel Adams

While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader."

Signer of Declaration of Independence

George Washington

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports."
Farewell Address

President

Last updated: July 2026

Washington, District of Columbia