20 Fun Facts About Washington DC

Washington D.C. is a city steeped in history, politics, and culture. As the capital of the United States, it has been the site of many pivotal moments in American history, from the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the march on Washington led by Martin Luther King Jr. But beyond its historical significance, D.C. is also home to a number of fascinating and surprising facts. Here are 20 fun facts about Washington D.C. that you may not know.

1. The city was founded in 1790 and named after George Washington, the first President of the United States.
2. Washington D.C. was originally built on land donated by Maryland and Virginia, which was later ceded to the federal government.
3. The city is not part of any state and is instead a federal district, meaning residents do not have voting representation in Congress.
4. The Washington Monument, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, is the tallest stone structure in the world.
5. The city’s famous cherry blossom trees were a gift from Japan in 1912 as a symbol of friendship between the two nations.
6. The Smithsonian Institution, which includes 19 museums and galleries, is the world’s largest museum complex.
7. The White House, which serves as the official residence of the President, has 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms.
8. The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with more than 170 million items in its collection.
9. The city’s Metro system is the second-busiest subway system in the United States after New York City.
10. The Lincoln Memorial, which honors President Abraham Lincoln, features a statue of the President that is 19 feet tall.
11. The National Mall, which is home to many of the city’s most famous landmarks, is actually a landscaped park and not a shopping district.
12. The city’s Georgetown neighborhood is home to the oldest Catholic university in the United States, Georgetown University.
13. The Pentagon, which serves as the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, is the largest office building in the world by floor area.
14. The city has a unique street layout, with diagonal avenues named after states and lettered and numbered streets intersecting at right angles.
15. The city’s National Cathedral, which took 83 years to build, is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world.
16. The city’s National Zoo is home to more than 2,700 animals, including giant pandas and African elephants.
17. The city’s iconic Watergate complex, known for the political scandal that took place there in the 1970s, is now a luxury hotel and residential building.
18. The city’s Union Station, which serves as a transportation hub for the city, is also home to a shopping mall and numerous restaurants.
19. The city’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts a variety of theater, dance, and music performances, was named in honor of President John F. Kennedy.
20. The city’s Ronald Reagan National Airport is the closest commercial airport to the city’s downtown area.

Washington D.C. is a city with a rich history and a number of fascinating facts and trivia. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, these fun facts offer a glimpse into the city’s past and present.