Washington DC is a surprising city. You can live here for years, or even your whole life, and still learn new things about the place. It’s got a fascinating history and there are so many historical facts about Washington DC that volumes have been written on the subject. Even if you consider yourself a Washington DC expert, let yourself be surprised by DC every now and then! Here are a few Washington DC history facts that we found interesting and you may not be aware of:
1. Despite the long-standing myth, Washington DC was not really built on a swamp... well, sort of.
It's practically common knowledge that the nation's capital was built on a swamp, but this is not technically true, at least for the most part. George Washington understandably wanted the capital to be close to his family home in Mount Vernon, which is partly why he chose this area. Much of the land was marshy and swampy at the time, but there were also plenty of fields, forests, and bluffs along the city's geography. However, Washington DC is still impacted by the surrounding water. The nation's budding capital often flooded in the early days. But it wasn't technically on a swamp, just near one!
2. The British soldiers who burned down the White House during the War of 1812 enjoyed dinner at the White House before lighting fire to the structure.
First Lady Dolley Madison had prepared dinner and decor for a lavish party before having to flee due to the threat of invasion. The British soldiers, not wanting anything to go to waste, apparently sat down, ate dinner, and then ransacked the house before setting it on fire. This was the only time since the Revolutionary War that the nation's capital had been captured and occupied by a foreign power.
Less than a day after the British soldiers attacked Washington DC, a freak storm hit the district. Many of the details have been lost to history - it was likely a hurricane. Tornadoes also spun off, lifting up cannons and even killing British troops. This was nicknamed "the storm that saved Washington."
Most people know that Washington DC is named after George Washington, but he never actually lived in the city. He lived at nearby Mount Vernon in Alexandria. John Adams was the first president to reside in Washington DC.
5. Football huddles began in Washington DC at Gallaudet University.
The football huddle is a well-known part of the sport, but most people don't know that it originated right here in Washington DC. Gallaudet University is a college for the deaf and hard of hearing. The quarterback, Paul Hubbard, began the tradition of having his offense form a tight circle so they could discuss plays without having to worry about their opponents seeing their signs.
6. The White House wasn’t always called the White House.
The White House didn't get its official current name until 1901, over a century after construction started. Teddy Roosevelt popularized the name, which he had read in a newspaper article. Prior to that, most people referred to the structure as "the President's Palace" or "the President's House."
7. The Washington Monument was technically a failed project.
The Washington Monument is one of the most iconic architectural sights in the entire world. It's incredibly impressive to see in person. However, the structure was supposed to be significantly grander. There were supposed to be 30 stone columns, statues of the Declaration of Independence signers, and additional statues of Revolutionary War heroes. However, the budget ran out mid-construction, so the monument remains the single obelisk that we know today.
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8. Washington and DC were once two different cities.
In the beginning, there was a city named the District of Columbia in honor of Christopher Columbus. The surrounding area was named Washington after George Washington. In 1871, the council revoked the charter for the city of Washington, so the entire area merged and became known as Washington DC.
9. There is a song for every Washington DC metro station.
A local musician named Jason Mendelson wrote a unique and original song for each of the 91 metro stations in the Washington DC area. The songs were based on the neighborhood of each station, plus its general history and character. It took Mendelson over six years to finish all the songs, which he hopes will inspire awareness and appreciation for the city's grand public transit system. You can hear the songs on Jason Mendeson's website.
Were you familiar with these history facts about Washington DC? Which one surprised you the most? If you love reading about Washington DC history facts, you won’t want to miss hearing about the 10 weirdest things to ever happen in Washington DC.
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Washington DC History Facts
Lisa Sammons|January 01, 2023
What are some other historical facts about Washington DC?
With a city history as rich as ours, there are plenty of interesting history facts about Washington DC:
The National Lawn was once used as a military encampment.
There was originally a typo on the Lincoln Memorial.
Washington DC has the highest concentration of lawyers of any city in the country.
What are some scary facts about Washington DC?
There are allegedly many haunted places in Washington DC. The city is rumored to be full of ghosts and stories of hauntings are prominent in many of the city's most famous buildings. It is said that Woodrow Wilson himself haunts the Woodrow Wilson Home!
