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Washington, D.C. (2:21)

How was Washington, D.C. chosen as the capital of the United States?

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Videos (24)

  • Washington, D.C.
    Washington, D.C.

    Video Clip (2:21)

    How was Washington, D.C. chosen as the capital of the United States?

    Video Clip (2:21)
  • Deconstructing History: White House
    Deconstructing History: White House

    Video Clip (1:35)

    It may not have been home to the president until 1800 or even called the White House until 1901, but it remains a symbol of freedom and democracy throughout the world.

    Video Clip (1:35)
  • Presidential Fun Facts
    Presidential Fun Facts

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    The Oval Office has been filled with extraordinary presidents, but did you know about these not-so-famous firsts?

    Video Clip (1:21)
  • Bet You Didn't Know: Founding Fathers
    Bet You Didn't Know: Founding Fathers

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    Our Founding Fathers were responsible for a lot more than the Declaration of Independence. Find out more about their legacy of innovation.

    Video Clip (1:25)
  • First Ladies
    First Ladies

    Video Clip (1:50)

    These U.S. first ladies made their mark during their stays at the White House.

    Video Clip (1:50)
  • James Madison: Did You Know?
    James Madison: Did You Know?

    Video Clip (1:36)

    At just 5'4", James Madison was hardly a commanding presence, but that didn't stop him from shaping American history.

    Video Clip (1:36)
  • George Washington
    George Washington

    Video Clip (2:19)

    How did George Washington turn a rag-tag group of men into a disciplined fighting machine?

    Video Clip (2:19)
  • Ask HISTORY: What's the Electoral College?
    Ask HISTORY: What's the Electoral College?

    Video Clip (2:09)

    How does the Electoral College really work? Ask HISTORY gets the answers.

    Video Clip (2:09)
  • FDR: A Voice of Hope
    FDR: A Voice of Hope

    Video Clip (4:06)

    Elected in 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt was a reassuring presence for many Americans through the trials of the Great Depression.

    Video Clip (4:06)
  • Andrew Jackson's Firsts
    Andrew Jackson's Firsts

    Video Clip (1:36)

    Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States, but he was the first in many other ways.

    Video Clip (1:36)
  • JFK: A New Generation
    JFK: A New Generation

    Video Clip (3:57)

    John F. Kennedy's progressive agenda during the 1960s inspired a new generation of optimism in America.

    Video Clip (3:57)
  • King Leads the March on Washington
    King Leads the March on Washington

    Video Clip (3:10)

    On August 28, 1963, a quarter million people gather to support civil rights, and share Dr. King's "dream" of equality.

    Video Clip (3:10)
  • Gerald Ford Embraces Chicken
    Gerald Ford Embraces Chicken

    Video Clip (1:11)

    Timothy Dickinson tells us about Gerald Ford and the Chicken.

    Video Clip (1:11)
  • Election 2008: Barack Obama
    Election 2008: Barack Obama

    Video Clip (2:21)

    A look at Barack Obama's presidential campaign and historic win in the 2008 general election

    Video Clip (2:21)
  • Shaping Washington D.C
    Shaping Washington D.C

    Video Clip (2:42)

    Washington D.C. was designed as a square before Congress gave Virginia back its portion in 1846.

    Video Clip (2:42)
  • Jimmy Carter vs. 'Killer Rabbit'
    Jimmy Carter vs. 'Killer Rabbit'

    Video Clip (1:03)

    Timothy Dickinson tells us the story of Jimmy Carter vs the killer rabbit.

    Video Clip (1:03)
  • How Washington D.C. Got Its Shape
    How Washington D.C. Got Its Shape

    Video Clip (2:30)

    George Washington picked out the location and laid out a perfect diamond shape for the city, spanning parts of Maryland and Virginia. But a looming fight over slavery caused the Virginia side to leave the District and return to its home state, giving D.C. its strange shape.

    Video Clip (2:30)
  • Abraham Lincoln
    Abraham Lincoln

    Video Clip (3:48)

    Today he is known as one of the greatest American presidents, but at the time of his election no one would have predicted Lincoln's success.

    Video Clip (3:48)
  • 9/11 Timeline
    9/11 Timeline

    Video Clip (4:54)

    A timeline of the events on September 11, 2001.

    Video Clip (4:54)
  • The Pentagon
    The Pentagon

    Video Clip (3:25)

    A brief history of the conception and construction of the Pentagon.

    Video Clip (3:25)
  • The Electoral College
    The Electoral College

    Video Clip (4:00)

    Host David Eisenbach explains what the history and purpose of the Electoral College is and why it is so important to America's democratic process.

    Video Clip (4:00)
  • The Inauguration
    The Inauguration

    Video Clip (4:15)

    Host David Eisenbach gives the historic significance of the process by which a newly elected candidate assumes the role of President of the United States of America.

    Video Clip (4:15)
  • Richard Nixon's Paranoia Leads to Watergate Scandal
    Richard Nixon's Paranoia Leads to Watergate Scandal

    Video Clip (2:41)

    Find out about Nixon's personal demons, which may have led to his involvement in the Watergate scandal.

    Video Clip (2:41)
  • Thomas Jefferson's Presidential Style
    Thomas Jefferson's Presidential Style

    Video Clip (3:20)

    As president, Thomas Jefferson presented himself as a man of the people and believed the central government should not hold too much power.

    Video Clip (3:20)

Photo Galleries (8)

  • Washington, D.C.
    Washington, D.C.

    10 Photos

    The capital of the United States, Washington, D.C., is home to many of the country's most iconic landmarks, including the White House, the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol.

    (10 Photos)
  • March on Washington
    March on Washington

    9 Photos

    See pictures from the famous March on Washington.

    (9 Photos)
  • Presidents and Their Children
    Presidents and Their Children

    14 Photos

    First families have shared the public spotlight with each president of the United States.

    (14 Photos)
  • George Washington
    George Washington

    17 Photos

    See pictures from the life and presidency of George Washington.

    (17 Photos)
  • 9/11 at the Pentagon and Flight 93
    9/11 at the Pentagon and Flight 93

    17 Photos

    On September 11, 2001 a hijacked plane crashed into the side of the Pentagon. Another flight, United 93, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania.

    (17 Photos)
  • Founding Fathers and Pre-Civil War Presidents
    Founding Fathers and Pre-Civil War Presidents

    15 Photos

    View an image slideshow on Founding Fathers and Pre-Civil War Presidents.

    (15 Photos)
  • Civil War to Great Depression Presidents
    Civil War to Great Depression Presidents

    15 Photos

    View an image slideshow on Presidents from Reconstruction to the Great Depression.

    (15 Photos)
  • Presidents: World War II to Today's Presidents
    Presidents: World War II to Today's Presidents

    13 Photos

    View an image slideshow on Presidents from World War II to Today.

    (13 Photos)

Speeches & Audio (3)

  • John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address
    John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address

    Audio Clip (13:54)

    In 1961, on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th president of the United States. In his first speech as president, Kennedy strikes an inspiring chord.

    Audio Clip (13:54)
  • Clinton Delivers State of the Union
    Clinton Delivers State of the Union

    Audio Clip (2:41)

    On February 4, 1997, in his first State of the Union address since winning reelection over Bob Dole in 1996, President Bill Clinton focuses on his administration's domestic policy.

    Audio Clip (2:41)
  • Clinton's First Inaugural Address
    Clinton's First Inaugural Address

    Audio Clip (1:20)

    After defeating incumbent President George H. W. Bush and ending 12 years of Republican leadership in the White House, President Bill Clinton emphasizes change and renewal in his inaugural address on January 20, 1993.

    Audio Clip (1:20)

Interactives (3)

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Read More about Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States, is home to the federal government and many notable monuments.

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