Existing comment:
1788: US Constitution gives Congress exclusive jurisdiction over the seat of federal government
1790: Residency Act: President George Washington to choose site for a capital city on the Potomac River.
1791: Peter C. L'Enfant designs a capital city using portions of Maryland and Virginia
1800: US Government arrives from Philadelphia
1802: Congress appoints first DC mayor
1812: Congress allows election of city council, which elects mayor
1814: British burn White House and Capitol
1820: Congress allows DC voters to elect mayor |