Washington DC in the 1980s

Watch and Read Ronald Reagan’s First State of the Union Address

May 6, 2026March 18, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Watch and read Ronald Reagan’s first State of the Union address to Congress, given on January 26th, 1982. The best part is about 50 seconds into the clip. Original speech found on Wikipedia.

If Walls Could Talk: Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar

January 13, 2021March 5, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar. Photo credit: Jennifer Kolansky

Last week’s winner of the “If Walls Could Talk” poll was Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar. They altered the look and feel of the tavern-heavy block of Pennsylvania between 2nd and 3rd St. SE and have been satisfying discerning palates with sophisticated wine and charcuterie since the fall of 2005. I’m excited to branch out … Read more

The Night John Lennon Died: U2 Plays Raw Emotional Gigs in 1980s Washington

December 8, 2023February 28, 2012 by ghostsofdc

U2 played an emotional show in Toronto on December 8, 1980, hours after Mark David Chapman shot John Lennon in New York City. Still reeling, the band returned soon after to play small venues in Washington D.C. like The Bayou and Ontario Theater. This meta description highlights the tragic timing of Lennon’s death coinciding with U2’s fledgling U.S. touring days as they built towards later superstardom.

Ron Paul Crushes Double During Congressional Baseball Game

December 20, 2021February 23, 2012 by ghostsofdc

This is awesome and appears to be the latest minor D.C. Internet meme. Well, I love baseball and I love D.C., so I want to share this with those of you who haven’t seen it yet (if you haven’t seen this, you don’t surf the Interwebs enough).

Ron Paul is the only player in the history of the Congressional baseball game to hit a home run over the fence. He also killed it in this game, going 2 for 3. Below you can watch him stroke a double. Not bad for a 47-year-old doctor from Texas.

According to Wikipedia, the game ended after nine innings in a tie at 17 runs. Sounds like some seriously crappy pitching. So far, this has been the only tie. The Republicans hold a 41-35 game advantage over the Democrats. Another interesting bit of trivia is that the game dates back to 1909, although it hasn’t been continuously played since then.

It was banned in 1914 by Speaker Champ Clark when he felt it interfered with the legislative business of Congress. In 1962, the game came back after being played intermittently and has been played annually ever since.

Nice old school Astros uniform. Reminds me of Nolan Ryan, Glenn Davis and Mike Scott.

Do you want to watch the whole game? I warn you, it is well over three hours. C-SPAN has it for you.

The National Union Building Outlived LivingSocial

May 8, 2026February 14, 2012 by ghostsofdc

918 F Street has held Civil War generals, a $30,000 diamond heist, the city’s biggest gambling raid, and a unicorn that hit zero.

If Walls Could Talk: The Looking Glass Lounge

November 22, 2021January 20, 2012 by ghostsofdc

This next installment of “If Walls Could Talk” will be the Petworth watering hole, The Looking Glass Lounge. This is one of my favorite places for a Sunday afternoon beer, especially in the warmer months, out on their back patio. I imagine the place will be packed this evening, and now you guys have another … Read more

Remembering Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Live Performance in Washington, D.C. in 1983

January 13, 2021January 16, 2012 by ghostsofdc

This one’s a good one from YouTube and it’s a little more contemporary, but given the artist in the video, I find this significant and musically historical.

Stevie Ray Vaughan himself, was live in the nation’s capital on December 27th, 1983. The venue was a place called the Wax Museum at 4th and E St. NW. Side note … he made his D.C. debut at the legendary Bayou on K St. in Georgetown. I’ll find some good posts on that place since it witnessed some pretty big acts (before they were big).

Were you at this show … or know someone that was? Add a comment below and tell us about it.

Here’s the setlist from that night:

Set 1
Testify – (The Isley Brothers cover)
Shake ‘N’ Bake
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) – (The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover)
Mary Had a Little Lamb – (Buddy Guy cover)
Texas Flood
Boot Hill
Love Struck Baby
Tin Pan Alley
Rude Mood
Testify
Lenny
Hide Away – (Freddie King cover)
Pride And Joy
Set 2
Hardcore Electric Texas Blues
Shake ‘N’ Bake
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) – (The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover)
The Things (That) I Used to Do – (Guitar Slim cover)
Boot Hill Play Video
Mary Had a Little Lamb Play Video – (Buddy Guy cover)
Tell Me – (Howlin’ Wolf cover)
Tin Pan Alley
Little Wing / Third Stone From the Sun Play Video – (The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover)
Encore:
How Long? – (with Bob Margolin)
Honey Bee – (with Bob Margolin)
Close To You – (with Bob Margolin)
Instrumental – (with Bob Margolin)

Stevie Ray Vaughan (October 3, 1954 – August 27, 1990) … we lost you too soon.