Washington D.C., or the District of Columbia, is the capital of the United States. As its own district, it is not affiliated with any state of the U.S. It is home to many national monuments including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The White House, Supreme Court, and Capitol are all found in the capital. The history of the capital is also very unique. While most nations designate their largest and most prosperous city as their capital, the U.S. created an entirely new capital in its infancy.
Initially, the capital of the U.S. was New York City. Some of the Founding Fathers, however, changed the location as part of a deal over the national bank. Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, wished to eliminate all national debt and establish a national bank. However, the opponents to his Federalist Party, the Democratic-Republicans, believed the national bank would expand federal power and threaten states’ rights. Their leaders, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, were Virginians and wished for the capital to be located in the South. Hamilton conceded in order for his financial plan to pass through Congress. As a result, Washington D.C. was established in Hampton Roads between Virginia and Maryland. Named after the “Father of the Nation,” the city remains the center of the U.S. government.
- Antonin Ducroux - USA (East Coast)