What was Washington D.C named prior to Washington; why America for Amerigo Vespuchi; why a Columbus Day if...?

Question

These things really puzzle me. What was Washington D.C. called prior to the city choosing to be named after the first president and I am unclear why America is named after Amerigo Vespuchi if he did not ever land in North America just as I am curious why we have a Columbus Day for someone who never went any further than the commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Answer 1

1. The city was know as the capitol city or dictrict of columbia as it ws concieved and as it was being built. Even before it was built though it was being called Washington DC, as an homage to the general, and president. He was revered even in his own time, how rare is that?

2. Amerigo was somewhat credited with a map that bears his name, that is about it, however it was enoguh to start calling the land mass after him.

3. Columbus, far from the first non native to land int eh Americas, and not even the first European is given lots of homage today because his journey was the start of colonialism, of imigration to the Americas, to the begining of a new era. Like him or hate him, criminal and murderer or great explorerer, whatever you view of Columbus is, there is no denying his importnace and role in changing history.

Answer 2

You asked three questions in one - here are the answers:
1. Washington DC was free land area of Maryland and Virginia - they took it and named it Washington DC. In other word I could not find a name for that land before Washington DC was created.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.

2. Amerigo Vespuchi was the first one who thought that there is a land mass west of Europe. He even created a map with a land mass where American continent is there.

3. Columbus still is considered as the person who discovered the new world (current North/South American continents). His journey prompted other journies which explored the new world. However, I don't agree with celebrating a Columbus day. There are people who have given better contibutions to America and world.

Answer 3

Please, one question at a time.
The District of Columbia, founded on July 16, 1790, is a federal district as specified by the United States Constitution. The U.S. Congress has ultimate authority over the District of Columbia, though it has delegated limited local rule to the municipal government. The land forming the original District came from the states of Virginia and Maryland. However, the area south of the Potomac River (39 square miles or about 100 km²) was returned, or "retroceded", to Virginia in 1847 and now is incorporated into Arlington County and the City of Alexandria. After 1847, the remaining land that formed the area now known as the District of Columbia was formed exclusively from land that once belonged to Maryland.