Big Days in Washington, DC History

What Did Columbia Heights Look Like After the 1968 Riots?

May 7, 2026April 14, 2015 by ghostsofdc

A series of photos shows Columbia Heights in the immediate aftermath of the 1968 riots. The Tivoli Theater and the commercial blocks on 14th Street had burned.

A Look Back: Comparing FDR, Eisenhower, and Obama Inauguration Photos

April 27, 2026April 6, 2015 by ghostsofdc

Aerial view of U.S. Capitol and crowd on the grounds of the east front of the U.S. Capitol, during the inauguration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, March 4, 1933

Take a look back at history with photos of historic inaugurations of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, and Barack Obama. See how the ceremonies have changed over the years!

The Knickerbocker Theater Collapse: DC’s Deadliest Disaster, January 28, 1922

May 16, 2026March 16, 2015 by ghostsofdc

Exterior of the Knickerbocker on opening day, 1917

Just after 9pm on January 28, 1922, the Knickerbocker’s roof caved in mid-comedy. Ninety-eight died. It is still DC’s deadliest disaster.

Is Washington the Most Beautiful City in the World?

April 27, 2026February 18, 2015 by ghostsofdc

Third in a series of four panoramic photographs of Washington, D.C., from left to right (west to east) taken from a tower in the Smithsonian Institution Building. The Mall area is covered with trees. The streets on the left perpendicular to the Mall are 12th Street and 11th Street. The long building on the right is Center Market bounded by Pennsylvania Avenue, Constitution Avenue, 7th and 9th Streets, N.W. Up and behind Center Market on the right, the large building is the Pension Bureau Building bounded by F and G Streets, N.W., between 4th and 5th Streets, designed by General Montgomery C. Meigs, completed in 1887, later occupied by many government agencies and now known as the National Building Museum

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.

A Look Back in Time: President Coolidge Visiting President Machado at the Cuban Embassy in 1927

November 9, 2022December 17, 2014 by ghostsofdc

President Coolidge calls on President Machado of Cuba upon arrival in Washington. President Coolidge with President Gerardo Machado of Cuba [...]ides photographed at the Cuban embassy in Washington Chief Executive of the United States paid a return [...]a's President. President Machado had previously President Coolidge at the White House shortly after [...]l in the National Capital

Take a look back in time to April 22nd, 1927 when President Calvin Coolidge visited President Gerardo Machado at the Cuban Embassy. See the historic photo from the Library of Congress.

The Sad Reality of D.C. Lacking National Representation

April 27, 2026December 1, 2014 by ghostsofdc

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.

Engravings of the President’s House and the Capitol Building Following the Burning of Washington in 1814

April 27, 2026August 14, 2014 by ghostsofdc

Engraving of the Capitol after it was burned in August 1814

Explore these amazing engravings of the President’s House and the Capitol Building following the Burning of Washington on August 24, 1814. The engravings were done by William Strickland and depict the destruction caused by the British attack and subsequent tornado.

Exploring the News Reports of the Burning of Washington 200 Years Ago

April 27, 2026July 29, 2014 by ghostsofdc

Two hundred years ago, the nation’s capital was burned by a foreign power. Explore the reactions of two newspapers, The Columbian and the Federal Republican, to this historic event with us. PDFs of the articles are included.

The 200th Anniversary of the Burning of Washington: Reflections from the Washington Times on the 100th Anniversary

April 27, 2026July 28, 2014 by ghostsofdc

Reflecting on the 200th anniversary of the Burning of Washington, read The Washington Times’ 1914 article on the topic, including major players’ reactions, rumors leading up to it, and President Madison’s disbelief.