MCQ Detailed View

Washington, D.C. was officially organized as the capital of the United States in the year 1801. Although the city was selected as the capital site in 1790 through the Residence Act, and construction began shortly thereafter, it wasn’t until 1801 that Washington, D.C. legally became the seat of the federal government.

The Residence Act of 1790, signed by President George Washington, allowed for the establishment of a federal district along the Potomac River. This territory was carved from land donated by Maryland and Virginia. While the White House and the Capitol Building were under construction during the 1790s, Congress officially moved the U.S. government there in 1800.

Key facts about the founding of Washington, D.C.:

• Established by: Residence Act of 1790


• Land donated by: Maryland and Virginia


• Named after: George Washington


• Federal government moved in: November 1800


• Officially organized as capital: 1801


• District of Columbia: Named to honor Christopher Columbus

In 1801, the Organic Act was passed, officially placing the District of Columbia under the direct control of Congress. This act eliminated state control and created a unique federal district. From that point onward, Washington, D.C. functioned as the nation’s permanent capital.

The city quickly grew into a center of political power. Over time, it became home to all three branches of the federal government, major monuments, the Supreme Court, and important federal agencies. It remains one of the most politically significant cities in the world today.