Washington, D.C.

This passage discusses how Washington, D.C. became our nation's capital.

Lexile Level: 680L

Categories: History People & Places

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States. It is located between the states of Maryland and Virginia. It lies along the Potomac River. Washington, D.C. became the capital in 1800. Philadelphia had been the capital before that. Before that, the United States Congress had met in New York City. The first president, George Washington, was sworn into office in New York. In 1790, Congress selected a new place for the capital, and the area between Maryland and Virginia was chosen. Today, Washington, D.C. is the place where the U.S. government is located. The White House is in Washington, and, is where the president lives. The Capitol Building is where Congress meets. Many people visit Washington, D.C. every year. There are many famous sites. As well as the government buildings, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial are other important locations in Washington, D.C.