Why is the capital of the U.S. Washington D.C.?

Question

Haha! I am such a nerd! Just curious! :)

Answer 1

The capital was formerly New York City, then it was moved to Philadelphia for 10 years, but Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton had it moved to the site which is now the capital. The explantion belows explains why:
The District of Columbia, founded on July 16, 1790, is a federal district as specified by the United States Constitution. Despite common belief, Washington D.C. is a city, not a district of its own, nor is it its own state. The U.S. Congress has ultimate authority over the District of Columbia, though it has delegated considerable authority to the municipal government. The land forming the original District came from the state of Maryland and Commonwealth of Virginia. 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. Since 1847, the remaining land that forms the area now known as the District of Columbia is exclusively "sitting" on land that belongs to Maryland (defunct land in the state of Maryland since 1790).

Answer 2

The city was named Washington after George Washington. The District was formed so the capital of the country would not be in any one state. The District was named Columbia because that was an old "poetic' name referring to America. and because it is in honor of Christopher Columbus. Thus, the city is Washington and the District is Columbia. The cpital had previously been in Philedelphia and New York, but congress wanted a new city designed and built specifically for the capitol. John Adams, 3rd pres. of the U.S. was the first to live in the unfinished White House in the unfinished city of Washinton.

Answer 3

My understanding is that when the founding fathers were deciding where the capital should be, they wanted a central location. Remember, at the the time, the country was only the land along the East Coast.

Answer 4

At the time it was established. There was not television, radio, telephone, telegraph, airplanes, automobiles, railroads, steamships, nor modern highways.

The capital needed to be in the center of the country. It is also the reason that we still have the electoral college, because it took so long to get from the outlying states by horseback, or wagon that it needed to be in the center to ensure rapid (? in those days) communications.

This is my help from Washington, DC, United States of America.

Answer 5

Yes, Washington, DC is the capital of the USA. That is where the Presidential White House is located.

Answer 6

Philadelphia used to be the capitol also.

why is the capitol of

Japan Tokyo
Germany Berlin
Russia Moscow
France Paris etc

cause they are :)

Answer 7

because its between maine and florida, used to be new york, mst capitols are placed in the center of the country, but after move to DC it was decided to leave it there

Answer 8

Because Denver was not invented yet!