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Tag: 1980s

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Unique Aerial View of the Waterfowl Sanctuary near Gravelly Point
Discover a unique aerial view of the waterfowl sanctuary near Gravelly Point. Get a birds-eye look of this beautiful landscape with this stunning image from the Library of Congress.
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Restoring Grandeur: The 1980s Renovation of the Willard Hotel
Take a look back at the Willard Hotel's major renovations in the 1980s with this aerial image of the iconic Washington, D.C. hotel. Learn more about the history of the Willard Hotel with this post!
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Three Other Things That Happened at the Watergate
Here are three other notable things that happened at the Watergate. The Reagans had to exit the building by candlelight because the power went out. There were bomb threats and a major protest of the Chicago Seven trial.
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A Rare Look at Bill Clinton Delivering Georgetown's Commencement Speech in 1980
Take a rare look back in time at the then-governor of Arkansas, and Georgetown graduate, Bill Clinton delivering the commencement speech at Georgetown for the graduating class of 1980.
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Autumn 1984, Washington DC – The Best of Times, The Worst of Traffic: The Story of Dr. John O. Nestor and the Birth of 'Nestoring'
In Autumn 1984, Washington DC, Dr. John O. Nestor set off a heated discussion over driving etiquette with his left-lane strategy. His verb, 'Nestoring', has become an obscure verb and a lesson in sticking to your principles.
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Where Can You Have an Embassy in Washington, D.C.?
You can't build an embassy anywhere in D.C. Check out this map from 1987 showing where it's okay to have your diplomatic mission in Washington, D.C.
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Remembering Erol's: The Washington Post's 1990 Article on the Blockbuster Acquisition
Remember Erol's? It was the awesome local video store that we all loved. Read about the acquisition by national giant Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation in this 1990 Washington Post article. Sad day for local business!
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U.S. Intelligence Community Allowed Gay Employee to Keep Job and Security Clearance in 1980
In a landmark decision in 1980, the U.S. intelligence community allowed a middle-level employe at the National Security Agency to keep his job and security clearances despite being found to be a homosexual. Read on to learn more about this important decision.
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Exploring the Changing Washington Navy Yard Through Aerial Photos: Pre- and Post- JFK Assassination
Explore the changing Washington Navy Yard through aerial photos taken before and after President Kennedy's assassination. See the history of the Navy Yard over time and discover what makes this place so special.
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"The President's Walk" Was Almost Reagan's Last
Hinckley was arrested and found not guilty of his charges by reason of insanity. He was sent to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, DC, less than ten minutes from the place he attempted to assassinate Reagan.
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Take a Trip Down Memory Lane and See Alexandria in the 1980s
Take a trip down memory lane and see Alexandria, Virginia in the 1980s with this aerial view from the Library of Congress. See if you can recognize parts of the city!
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An Incredible View of the Washington Monument in the Early 1980s
Take a look back in time at the Washington Monument in the early 1980s with this incredible view from the Library of Congress. See the iconic monument as it was in the 1980s!
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It's a Damn Shame: The Demolition of D.C. from the 1950s to the 1980s
It's a sad fact that much of D.C. was demolished from the 1950s through the 1980s. Read the full story to learn more about this damn shame and the major influence of Gilded Age capitalist Frank Munsey.
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Vitaly Churkin, Soviet Diplomat, Testifies on the Hill
This was the first time an official of the Soviet Union testified before a House committee, by Vitaly Churkin, in an attempt to be transparent after the Chernobyl nuclear accident.
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Mayor Marion Barry's Proposal to Rename a Portion of Mass. Ave. After Nelson Mandela in 1985
In 1985, Mayor Marion Barry proposed renaming a portion of Massachusetts Avenue in front of the South African Embassy after anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela. Read the interesting story from The Baltimore Sun from July 3rd, 1985.
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If Walls Could Talk: Nanny O'Briens
Congratulations to our latest “If Walls Could Talk” poll winner, Nanny O’Briens. We’re going to do a little digging into the history of your building at 3319 Connecticut Ave. NW. Nanny O’Briens The Greek restaurant investor On September 11th, 1952, The Washington Post reported on a funeral mass to be held for Louis Kanakos, who died at the age of 51. The mass...
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History of the Drinking Age in Washington, D.C.
When did DC raise the drinking age to 21? The story goes back to 1984 with Ronald Reagan, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, and highways.
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The Strange Story of the White House Secret Service Guard Who Robbed a Bank
Read the strange story of the White House Secret Service guard who robbed a Citizens National Bank branch in Laurel in 1981. We came across the article and the sentencing in The Baltimore Sun. Come read this bizarre story from the 1980s!
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Exploring a Metro Map Done with Braille – What Date is This?
Explore a Metro map done with braille and discover its date. This map stops at Silver Spring, so it's some time before 1990, when Forest Glen was built. Find out more in this blog post.
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An Aerial View of Federal Triangle and the Navy Memorial Under Construction
Get a bird's eye view of Washington, D.C. with this aerial shot of Federal Triangle and the Navy Memorial under construction. Image taken during the 1980s.
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25 Years Later: A Look at an Old Real Estate Ad From 1988
Take a look back in time to an old classified advertisement from The Washington Post from exactly 25 years ago. See what homes were available and the interest rates that were charged in 1988.
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Take a Trip Through Memory Lane with this 1981 Apartment Listings Page from The Washington Post
Take a trip down memory lane with this 1981 apartment listings page from The Washington Post. Check out the prices and see if you recognize any of the addresses!
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Revisiting the Construction of the Washington DC Metro
Take a look back in time at the construction of the Washington DC Metro with photos from the Metro's Facebook page. See the work that went into building the tunnel near Forest Glen, emergency stairs, Silver Spring station, Gallery Place-Chinatown and Archives.
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Maya Lin's Winning Design Concept for the Vietnam Memorial
In 1981, Maya Lin won the contest to design the Vietnam Memorial at the age of just 21. Learn how her abstract design concept was sketched by Paul Stevenson Oles and became a powerful memorial in Washington, DC.
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The Notorious Rayful Edmond: From Drug Kingpin to Georgetown Hoyas Fan
Learn the story of Rayful Edmond, the notorious drug kingpin and murderer of the 80s and 90s who was also a huge Georgetown Hoyas fan. Find out how Coach John Thompson dealt with it.
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If Walls Could Talk: The Story of Au Pied De Cochon and 1335 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Take a walk down memory lane and learn the story of the former Au Pied De Cochon restaurant and two payphones at 1335 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Read our two-part series on the history of this location!
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A Letter from Bill Clinton to Ronald Reagan in 1988
Uncover the interesting history between Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan when we dug up this letter from 1988 when Bill Clinton was the Governor of Arkansas at the National Archives.
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Remembering the Redskins' Glory Days: Hail to RGIII and the Washington Redskins!
Take a nostalgic look back at the Redskins' heyday and the hope for a brighter future with Robert Griffin III. Hail to the Washington Redskins!
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If Walls Could Talk: The History of 1229 Wisconsin Ave. NW (Georgetown Apple Store)
Explore the history of Georgetown's Apple Store, located at 1229 Wisconsin Ave NW. It's been many things, including a diner, a parking lot, ESPRIT Superstore, and a national chain of disposers of stolen property.
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A Look Back at the History of 1319 Connecticut Ave NW, Home of Mad Hatter
Take a look back at the history of 1319 Connecticut Ave NW in Dupont Circle, home of the Mad Hatter! We uncover the stories of Mrs. Cordley's antiques store, The Jenny Shoppe, Wig Fair and more.
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