WASHINGTON DC THE CAPITAL OF THE USA

WASHINGTON DC A view of Washington, D.C. in 1830

Building a New City With its grand neoclassical buildings and its tree-lined avenues, Washington, D.C. strikes the visitor as a lovely and formal city. Washington wasn't always this way. With its grand neoclassical buildings and its tree-lined avenues, Washington, D.C. strikes the visitor as a lovely and formal city. Washington wasn't always this way. When it was decided that the new coun­try needed a new city for its capital, President George Washington himself helped pick the spota marshy area where the Potomac and Anacostia rivers come together. When it was decided that the new coun­try needed a new city for its capital, President George Washington himself helped pick the spota marshy area where the Potomac and Anacostia rivers come together. French engineer Pierre Charles L'Enfant created a design based on Versailles, a palace built for King Louis XIV in the 17th century. The capital city would be crisscrossed by broad avenues, which would meet in spacious squares and circles. Creating Versailles from a marsh was no easy task. French engineer Pierre Charles L'Enfant created a design based on Versailles, a palace built for King Louis XIV in the 17th century. The capital city would be crisscrossed by broad avenues, which would meet in spacious squares and circles. Creating Versailles from a marsh was no easy task. Building went slowly, and people were reluctant to move to the new capital. For years, pigs roamed through unpaved streets. There was said to be good hunting right near the White House! Building went slowly, and people were reluctant to move to the new capital. For years, pigs roamed through unpaved streets. There was said to be good hunting right near the White House! During the War of 1812, the British burned parts of Wash­ington. This episode did, however, give the White House its name. The president's house was one of the buildings burned, and after the war it was painted white to cover up the marks. During the War of 1812, the British burned parts of Wash­ington. This episode did, however, give the White House its name. The president's house was one of the buildings burned, and after the war it was painted white to cover up the marks.

Washington, D.C. today

Washington at Work Washington has one major business, and that business is government. The executive de­partments (Treasury, Agriculture, Education, etc.; see the Introduction) are located in Washington. Many of the people who live in Washington work for the federal government. Washington has one major business, and that business is government. The executive de­partments (Treasury, Agriculture, Education, etc.; see the Introduction) are located in Washington. Many of the people who live in Washington work for the federal government. When you're in Washington you can tour the White House, at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave­nue. You won't be able to see the president at work though; White House offices, as well as living quarters, are closed to the public. However, if you visit Capitol Hill, you might be able to see some important members of the other two branches of government: The Supreme Court has a public gallery, as do the Senate and the House of Representatives. When you're in Washington you can tour the White House, at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave­nue. You won't be able to see the president at work though; White House offices, as well as living quarters, are closed to the public. However, if you visit Capitol Hill, you might be able to see some important members of the other two branches of government: The Supreme Court has a public gallery, as do the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Capitol Hill To go to the Senate or House gallery, stop in at any congressperson's office for a pass, Don't be surprised, though, if from the gallery you see a congressperson giving a speech to a nearly empty room! Absent members of congress are probably at committee meetings, where much of the important work is done. The public can also go to many of these meet­ings. To go to the Senate or House gallery, stop in at any congressperson's office for a pass, Don't be surprised, though, if from the gallery you see a congressperson giving a speech to a nearly empty room! Absent members of congress are probably at committee meetings, where much of the important work is done. The public can also go to many of these meet­ings. The Mall is a large open space. The Mall also has monuments honoring George Wash­ington and Abraham Lincoln. Washington was the first president. Lincoln was president dur­ing the Civil War and ended slavery. Many important civil rights events have taken place at the Lincoln Memorial. The Mall is a large open space. The Mall also has monuments honoring George Wash­ington and Abraham Lincoln. Washington was the first president. Lincoln was president dur­ing the Civil War and ended slavery. Many important civil rights events have taken place at the Lincoln Memorial. A third important president, Thomas Jefferson, who was also the main author of the Declaration of Indepen­dence, is honored by a monument overlook­ing the nearby Tidal Basin. The Tidal Basin area is especially beautiful in spring, when its many cherry trees, a gift from Japan, are in bloom. A third important president, Thomas Jefferson, who was also the main author of the Declaration of Indepen­dence, is honored by a monument overlook­ing the nearby Tidal Basin. The Tidal Basin area is especially beautiful in spring, when its many cherry trees, a gift from Japan, are in bloom.

The Senate or House To go to the Senate or House gallery, stop in at any congressperson's office for a pass. Don't be surprised, though, if from the gallery you see a congressperson giving a speech to a nearly empty room! Absent members of congress are probably at committee meetings, where much of the important work is done. The public can also go to many of these meet­ings.

The White House When you're in Washington you can tour the White House, at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave­nue. You won't be able to see the president at work though; White House offices, as well as living quarters, are closed to the public. However, if you visit Capitol Hill, you might be able to see some important members of the other two branches of government: The Supreme Court has a public gallery, as do the Senate and the House of Representatives. When you're in Washington you can tour the White House, at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave­nue. You won't be able to see the president at work though; White House offices, as well as living quarters, are closed to the public. However, if you visit Capitol Hill, you might be able to see some important members of the other two branches of government: The Supreme Court has a public gallery, as do the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Presidential Palace. Originally the White House was gray and was called the Presidential Palace. It was built from 1792 to At this time, the city of Washington itself was being built. It was to be the nation's new capital city. George Washington, the first president, and Pierre Charles L'Enfant, a French engineer, chose the place for the new city. L'Enfant then planned the city. The president's home was an important part of the plan. Originally the White House was gray and was called the Presidential Palace. It was built from 1792 to At this time, the city of Washington itself was being built. It was to be the nation's new capital city. George Washington, the first president, and Pierre Charles L'Enfant, a French engineer, chose the place for the new city. L'Enfant then planned the city. The president's home was an important part of the plan. A contest was held to pick a design for the president's home. An architect named James Hoban won. He designed a large three-story house of gray stone. A contest was held to pick a design for the president's home. An architect named James Hoban won. He designed a large three-story house of gray stone. President Washington never lived in the Presidential Palace. The first president to live there was John Adams, the second president of the United States, and his wife. Mrs. Adams did not really like her new house. In her letters, she often complained about the cold. Fifty fireplaces were not enough to keep the house warm! President Washington never lived in the Presidential Palace. The first president to live there was John Adams, the second president of the United States, and his wife. Mrs. Adams did not really like her new house. In her letters, she often complained about the cold. Fifty fireplaces were not enough to keep the house warm!

Rebuilding of the White House In 1812 the United States and Britain went to war. In 1814 the British invaded Washington. They burned many buildings, including the Presidential Palace. In 1812 the United States and Britain went to war. In 1814 the British invaded Washington. They burned many buildings, including the Presidential Palace. After the war James Hoban, the original architect, partially rebuilt the president's home. To cover the marks of the fire, the building was painted white. Before long it became known as the White House. After the war James Hoban, the original architect, partially rebuilt the president's home. To cover the marks of the fire, the building was painted white. Before long it became known as the White House. The White House is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States. Every year more than 1.5 million visitors go through the five rooms that are open to the public. The White House is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States. Every year more than 1.5 million visitors go through the five rooms that are open to the public.