The United States Capitol has stood at the center of Washington since the 1790s, and GoDC has spent years digging into its history. These posts cover everything from the Capitol’s construction and the British burning of 1814 to the dome’s completion during the Civil War and the debates, ceremonies, and controversies that have played out inside ever since.
Take a trip back in time with this rare painting of the Capitol Building from the early 19th century. Get a glimpse of the Capitol as it looked more than 200 years ago
Take a look at this cool photo taken on August 26th, 1922, when a gentleman was hanging from the top of the Capitol to paint it
Take a look at this aerial view of Washington Circle along K Street in Washington, DC. How many buildings can you recognize? With a bit of help, you can even spot the Capitol Building at the top right corner
A 1924 photograph of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
Before the Capitol’s famous white dome was fully restored in 1959, it had taken on a reddish hue from decades of weathering.
Learn about the attempted murder of J.P. Morgan in July 1915 and its connection to a bomb that exploded in the Senate Reception Room. Discover the backstory of J.P. Morgan in 1919 and its role in US foreign relations in Paris.
On March 4, 1865, Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address. Somewhere in the crowd stood John Wilkes Booth, six weeks before Ford’s Theatre.
Take a look at this beautiful shot of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. as seen from the Washington Monument in 1936. See the full picture here!
Take a look at an early drawing of the Capitol from the time of its completion
