TRAVEL US 25 - WASHINGTON D.C.

WASHINGTON D.C. - United States

WASHINGTON D.C. - United States

Washington, D.C., formally named the District of Columbia, is a unique city in the U.S. because it’s not part of any state. Established by the U.S. Constitution as the nation’s capital, it sits on land donated by Maryland and Virginia along the Potomac River. Founded in 1790, it replaced Philadelphia as the seat of government, with the site chosen by President George Washington himself. The city was meticulously planned by French engineer Pierre Charles L’Enfant, who envisioned a grand capital with wide avenues, public squares, and monumental architecture inspired by European cities like Paris.

Today, Washington, D.C., is the political heart of the United States, home to the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Supreme Court. Beyond government, it’s a cultural hub with world-class museums like the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum and the National Gallery of Art, most of which offer free admission. The city’s population is around 700,000, though it swells daily with commuters and tourists. Its iconic landmarks - like the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Tidal Basin’s cherry blossoms - draw millions each year.

D.C. operates under a quirky system: it’s governed by a mayor and council, but Congress has ultimate authority over its laws and budget, a setup that often sparks debate about local representation. Residents only got the right to vote in presidential elections in 1961 via the 23rd Amendment, and they still lack full voting representation in Congress, a point of contention symbolized by the license plate slogan “Taxation Without Representation.”

The city’s history isn’t without blemish - parts of it were burned by British troops in 1814 during the War of 1812, and it’s seen its share of social upheaval, from Civil War tensions to the 1968 riots after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Today, it’s a diverse, vibrant place, blending historic charm with modern energy, though it’s also known for brutal humidity in summer and the occasional political gridlock.

OLD U.S. HISTORY:

An OLD communication system, used in the PAST, Postcard :

“ Post Card AUTHORIZED BY ACT OF CONGRESS OF MAY 1898 (…) “

“ Money, Currencies used in the US, and outside the country. “

TRESURE HUNT HINT :