The 1960s were a decade of transformation and trauma for Washington. The March on Washington in 1963 brought a quarter million people to the Mall. JFK’s assassination brought the city to a standstill. And the 1968 riots that followed Dr. King’s murder left scars across entire neighborhoods that would take decades to heal.
Take a trip back in time to the elegant and romantic Dulles Airport of the 1960s. Explore the mobile lounges and control tower in photos taken by Balthazar Korab.
Why are there no interstate highways cutting through Washington? It’s one of the few cities without a major highway right through it. Learn the history going back to the 1960s.
Discover the story of Herbert Haft’s Columbia Heights development agreement, which was canceled after 15 years of litigation and very little construction. Learn how the area has been transformed since then.
Join us as we uncover the history of the iconic Golden Garter sign in Washington, DC. We take a look at the past of 639 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, from Roaring Twenties East to Remington’s
Take a look back at the National Savings and Trust Building in 1960, as seen in this photo sent in by GoDCer Andy from his Flickr collection. This building is located close to the White House on the northeast corner of 15th and New York Ave. NW.
In 1964, Nathaniel Owings and a council appointed by JFK unveiled a radical plan to tunnel E Street, brick Pennsylvania Avenue, and build a National Square.
Here is an old film that we dug up at the National Archives. It’s from 1968, showing the devastation of the riots following MLK’s assassination.
In May 1962, a proposed development along the Potomac River caused much debate. The Watergate Towne complex was set to be built, but the proposed height of the structures was a point of contention. Read more about this debate here.
On August 9, 1964, LBJ called Haggar Apparel to order six pairs of summer slacks. He also complained the last pair was a little tight in the nuts.
