In the 1950s, the top entertainers in the country performed on 14th Street NW. By the early 1980s, it was known as Washington's "combat zone," lined with topless bars and adult bookstores. By 1986, it was rubble. What happened in between reveals how gentrification works when moral crusades and economic interests perfectly align.
Explore the historic use of electric lights during President Woodrow Wilson's 1913 inauguration and what it symbolized for American progress and modernity. Learn how this momentous event marked a new era of hope and optimism, as well as the challenges that lay ahead for the country and the world.
Pauline Floyd was a pioneer and an excellent role model for women pursing a career in law. She was the youngest female lawyer admitted to practice before the Supreme Court.
Pierre L'Enfant had originally planned the City of Washington around a right triangle, with the eastern portion at the Capitol, the northern portion at the White House and the 90 degree angle close to where the Washington Monument sits today. Thomas Jefferson marked this spot in 1793 with a wooden post, which was replaced in 1804 with the Jefferson Pier.
The name Adams Morgan is from the names of two formerly segregated area elementary schools—the older, all-black Thomas P. Morgan Elementary School and the all-white John Quincy Adams Elementary School, which merged in 1955 following desegregation.
The story of the 1970 TWA hijacking by unemployed bread truck driver Arthur G. Barkley who, distraught from losing his job, attempted to ransom the plane for $100 million. Learn about the hijacking and heroic actions of the plane's captain!
Take a look at this fascinating map of Washington, D.C. from 1922, showing where you could and could not park in the congested city. Click on it to zoom in on the details. Source: Library of Congress.
Proposed renovations of the Capitol Building from the 1870s. Achitectural drawing for alterations to the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. West elevation.
Discover the fascinating directory from the 53rd Congress, which features Grover Cleveland's second cabinet. We mapped their homes on Google Map. Learn more about the President's cabinet and why it's named Cleveland Park.
Take a look at this incredible 1922 photo of Washington, D.C. taken from the air. Click on the image for a larger version and explore the city's history up close!
Discover the fascinating history of Childs Restaurant in Washington, DC - the chain that originated in New York City and spread southward. Learn about the unique building of the Massachusetts Ave. location and more.
Explore the beauty of Washington DC, the US capital, and why many people believe it is the most beautiful city in the world. Learn about the McMillan Plan, the unbuilt Grant Memorial, and Frederick Law Olmsted. Read the full article from 1907.
Discover the sad reality of D.C. lacking national representation through this print found in The Evening Star. Visit the Dig DC Collection by the DC Public Library to learn more.
