HISTORY70 - Washington, D.C.
When our Spring 2023 Mississippi River cruise was cancelled, Pat and I quickly arranged a trip to Washington, D.C. As regular readers know, I have recently written articles about Washington, D.C.’s presidential memorials (September 8, 2022 and September 16, 2022) and Military Memorials (October 3, 2022). Now Pat and I will be able to visit the places I wrote about. So, to prepare for our visit, this article will cover the history of Washington, D.C. After a short introduction, I will discuss the area’s early settlement; the founding and establishment of Washington, D.C. in 1791; the burning of Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812; the pre-Civil War period; the Civil War; the post-Civil War period; Washington, D.C. since 1900; and will finish with a discussion of tourism opportunities. My principal sources include AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington, D.C. , fifth edition, G. Martin Moeller, Jr.; “Washington, D.C.,” “The History of Washington D.C,” “National Mall,”