History of Washington, D.C. in Timeline

Washington, D.C. is the capital city and federal district of the United States, situated on the Potomac River bordering Virginia and Maryland. Named after George Washington, the city is also referred to as simply Washington or D.C. The district's name, Columbia, represents a symbolic personification of the United States.

1901: Finalization of the McMillan Plan

In 1901, the McMillan Plan was finalized, including landscaping the Capitol grounds and National Mall, clearing slums, and establishing a new citywide park system.

1908: Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Built

In 1908, the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue was built in the Chinatown section of Washington, D.C.

1910: Height of Buildings Act of 1910

The federal Height of Buildings Act of 1910 limits building height in Washington, D.C., based on the width of the adjacent street.

August 6, 1918: Highest Recorded Temperature on August 6, 1918

On August 6, 1918, the highest recorded temperature in Washington, D.C. was 106 °F (41 °C).

1922: Snowstorm of 1922

From January 27 to 28, 1922, Washington, D.C., officially received 28 inches of snowfall.

1925: United States Navy Band Headquarters

In 1925, the United States Navy Band established its headquarters at the Washington Navy Yard.

July 20, 1930: Highest Recorded Temperature on July 20, 1930

On July 20, 1930, the highest recorded temperature in Washington, D.C. was 106 °F (41 °C).

1935: Supreme Court Building Completion

The United States Supreme Court Building was completed in 1935 in Washington D.C.

1938: Flag Adoption

In 1938, the flag of Washington, D.C., was adopted. It is a variation on George Washington's family coat of arms.

1940: African American population percentage in 1940

Between 1800 and 1940, African American residents composed about 30% of Washington, D.C.'s total population.

1950: Peak population in 1950

By 1950, the population of Washington, D.C. reached its peak of 802,178 residents.

1950: Arena Stage Founded

Founded in 1950, Arena Stage gained national attention and spurred growth in Washington D.C.'s independent theater movement.

1957: Islamic Center Opening

In 1957, the Islamic Center of Washington opened, becoming the largest mosque in the Western Hemisphere at the time.

1958: Ben's Chili Bowl Founded

In 1958, Ben's Chili Bowl was founded on U Street in Washington, D.C.

1961: Presidential Voting Rights Granted

In 1961, Washington, D.C., was granted presidential voting rights by the 23rd Amendment, giving them Electoral College votes equivalent to a state, but no more than the least populous state, which amounts to three votes.

1961: Twenty-third Amendment ratified

In 1961, the Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, granting Washington, D.C. three votes in the Electoral College.

1961: Lowest Murder Count Since

In 2012, Washington D.C. saw the lowest total of murders since 1961.

1964: Capital Beltway Construction

In 1964, the Capital Beltway, Washington D.C.'s highway loop, was constructed, leading to the idiom "Inside the Beltway" to describe discussions of national political issues.

1964: First Electoral Votes

Washington, D.C., first voted in a presidential election in 1964 and voted for Democratic presidential candidates consistently since then.

April 4, 1968: Riots after Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination

On April 4, 1968, riots broke out in Washington, D.C., following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

1968: Ben's Chili Bowl During Riots

During the violent 1968 race riots in Washington, D.C., Ben's Chili Bowl rose to prominence as a peaceful escape.

1970: Peak of Black Population in 1970

By 1970, the black population in Washington, D.C., reached a peak of 70%.

1973: District of Columbia Home Rule Act enacted

In 1973, Congress enacted the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which provided for an elected mayor and a 13-member council for the district.

1973: Home Rule Act

In 1973, the Home Rule Act devolved certain Congressional powers to an elected mayor and a 13-member Council of the District of Columbia.

1973: District governance since 1973

Since 1973, a locally elected mayor and a 13-member council have governed Washington, D.C., although Congress retains the power to overturn local laws.

1975: Walter Washington became first elected mayor in 1975

In 1975, Walter Washington became the district's first elected and first black mayor.

March 27, 1976: Washington Metro Opened

On March 27, 1976, Washington Metro, the city's rapid transit rail system, opened, serving Washington, D.C., and its Maryland and Northern Virginia suburbs.

1976: GALA Hispanic Theatre Founded

In 1976, the GALA Hispanic Theatre was founded and is now housed in the historic Tivoli Theatre.

1976: Marine Corps Marathon Began

In 1976, the Marine Corps Marathon began in Washington, D.C.

1976: Handgun Ban

In 2008, the Supreme Court of the United States held in District of Columbia v. Heller that the city's 1976 handgun ban violated the right to keep and bear arms as protected under the Second Amendment.

1978: Voting Rights Amendment Passed

In 1978, the District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment was passed, which would have granted D.C. Congressional representation.

1986: Voting Rights Amendment Expired

In 1986, the District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment expired without being ratified into law.

1989: Labeled "Worst City Government"

In 1989, during Marion Barry's tenure as mayor, Washington Monthly magazine labeled Washington, D.C. "the worst city government in America".

1990: Religious Groups

In 1990, Black Protestants were the largest religious group in Washington, D.C.

1991: Peak in Murders

In 1991, the number of murders in Washington D.C. peaked at 479.

1995: Financial Control Board Created

In 1995, at the start of Marion Barry's fourth term, Congress created the District of Columbia Financial Control Board to oversee all municipal spending.

1998: Anthony Williams Elected

In 1998, Anthony Williams won election as mayor of Washington D.C. and oversaw a period of urban renewal and budget surpluses.

2000: Increase in white population between 2000 and 2010

Between 2000 and 2010, there was a 31.4% increase in the non-Hispanic white population in Washington, D.C..

2000: Religious Groups

In 2000, Catholics were the largest religious group in Washington, D.C.

2000: Population growth since 2000

Washington D.C. has experienced population growth since 2000.

2001: Financial Control Regained

In 2001, Washington, D.C., regained control over its finances, and the oversight board's operations were suspended.

2005: Poverty Level

In 2005, 19% of Washington, D.C., residents were below the poverty level, higher than any state except Mississippi.

2005: Poll on Representation

In 2005, a poll revealed that 78% of Americans were unaware that residents of Washington, D.C., have less representation in Congress than residents of the 50 states.

2006: College Degrees

In 2006, half of Washington, D.C. residents had at least a four-year college degree.

2007: Increased Charter School Enrollment

By 2007, due to perceived problems with the traditional public school system, enrollment in Washington D.C.'s public charter schools had steadily increased.

2007: High Illiteracy Rate

In 2007, approximately one-third of Washington, D.C., residents were functionally illiterate, a rate higher than the national average.

2007: Top buildings in America's Favorite Architecture in 2007

In 2007, six of the top ten buildings in the American Institute of Architects' ranking of America's Favorite Architecture were in Washington, D.C.

2008: Nationals Park Opening

In 2008, Nationals Park, the home of the Washington Nationals, opened.

2008: Private School Enrollment

In 2008, Washington, D.C. had 92 private schools which enrolled approximately 18,000 students.

2008: SmartBike DC Pilot Program

In 2008, the SmartBike DC pilot program began in Washington, D.C., preceding the Capital Bikeshare program.

2008: Supreme Court Ruling on Handgun Ban

2009: HIV/AIDS Epidemic

A 2009 report found that at least three percent of Washington, D.C., residents have HIV or AIDS.

2009: GDP per capita ranking

Between 2009 and 2016, gross domestic product per capita in Washington, D.C., consistently ranked at the very top among U.S. states.

2009: DCPS Student Decrease Ends

In 2009, the 39-year steady decrease in the number of students in District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) came to an end.

2009: Legislation authorizing same-sex marriage passed in 2009

Legislation authorizing same-sex marriage passed in Washington, D.C. in 2009.

March 2010: Issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples in March 2010

Washington, D.C. began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in March 2010.

2010: Traffic Congestion Study

According to a 2010 study, Washington D.C. commuters spent 70 hours a year in traffic delays, tying with Chicago for the nation's worst road congestion; however, a significant percentage used public transportation.

2010: 2010 Census Data

According to the 2010 United States census, Washington, D.C. experienced population growth since 2000, following a half-century of population decline.

2010: Arena Stage Reopening

Arena Stage reopened in 2010 after renovation and expansion in the Southwest waterfront area of Washington D.C.

2010: D.C. Charter School Enrollment

As of 2010, Washington, D.C., charter schools had a total enrollment of about 32,000, a 9% increase from the prior year.

2010: Demographic Data in 2010

As of 2010, about 17% of Washington, D.C. residents were age 18 or younger, which is lower than the U.S. average of 24%.

2010: Health Insurance Coverage

As of 2010, more than 90% of Washington, D.C., residents had health insurance coverage, the second-highest rate in the nation.

2010: Decrease in black population between 2000 and 2010

Between 2000 and 2010, there was an 11.5% decrease in the black population in Washington, D.C..

2010: Religious Groups

In 2010, Mainline Protestants were the largest religious group in Washington, D.C.

2010: Capital Bikeshare Program Started

In 2010, the Capital Bikeshare program started in Washington, D.C., becoming one of the largest bicycle sharing systems in the country.

2010: Violent Crime Per Capita

In 2024, violent crimes per-capita in Washington D.C. reached their lowest levels since 2010.

2010: DCPS Student Enrollment

In the 2010-11 school year, 46,191 students were enrolled in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) system.

2011: Largest Companies

According to statistics compiled in 2011, four of the largest 500 companies in the country were based in Washington, D.C.

2011: Metropolitan Economy Size

As of 2011, the Washington metropolitan area was the nation's eighth-largest metropolitan economy.

2011: Union Station Renovations

Following renovations in 2011, Union Station became Washington, D.C.'s primary intercity bus transit center.

2011: Primary Language

In 2011, 85% of D.C. residents age 5 and older spoke English at home as their primary language.

2011: Washington Post Readership

In 2011, The Washington Post had the sixth-highest readership of all news dailies in the country.

2012: Spending on hotel rooms for homeless families in 2012

During the winter of 2012, the city spent $2,544,454 on putting homeless families in hotels.

2012: Historic Low in Murders

In 2012, Washington D.C. reached a historic low of 88 murders, the lowest total since 1961.

2012: Tourism Impact

In 2012, approximately 18.9 million visitors contributed about $4.8 billion to Washington D.C.'s local economy.

2012: Federal Taxes Paid

In the financial year 2012, residents and businesses in Washington, D.C., paid $20.7 billion in federal taxes, exceeding the taxes collected from 19 states and representing the highest federal taxes per capita.

2013: Rate of Unprosecuted Cases Compared

By October 2023, the rate of unprosecuted cases in Washington D.C. was almost twice what it was in 2013.

2013: Law requiring shelter during freezing temperatures

In 2013, Washington, D.C. passed a law requiring shelter to be provided to everyone in need when the temperature drops below freezing.

2013: Smithsonian Institution Visits

In 2013, the Smithsonian's locations in Washington, D.C. had a combined total of 30 million visits.

2013: Commuting Statistics

In 2013, the Washington metropolitan area had the eighth-lowest percentage of workers who commuted by private automobile (75.7 percent), with 8 percent of area workers traveling via rail transit.

2014: Corcoran College Absorbed

In 2014, the Corcoran College of Art and Design, the oldest art school in Washington D.C., was absorbed into the George Washington University, now serving as its college of arts.

2015: UNPO Membership

In 2015, Washington, D.C., became a member state of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO).

2015: Decrease in Homicides

In 2016, the Metropolitan Police Department tallied 135 homicides, a 17% decrease from 2015.

2015: Bike lane network

Washington D.C's bike lane network increased by 60% from 2015 to May 2022.

2016: Metropolitan area population in 2016

As of 2016, the Washington metropolitan area, including the district and surrounding suburbs, had an estimated six million residents.

2016: El Tiempo Latino Sold

In 2016, The Washington Post sold the Spanish-language newspaper El Tiempo Latino to El Planeta Media.

2016: GDP per capita

In 2016, Washington, D.C.'s GDP per capita was $160,472, almost three times greater than that of Massachusetts, which was ranked second in the nation.

2016: Streetcar Line Returns

In 2016, Washington, D.C., brought back a streetcar line, DC Streetcar, which is a single-line system in Northeast Washington, D.C., along H Street and Benning Road, known as the H Street/Benning Road Line.

2016: Referendum on D.C. statehood

In 2016, a referendum on D.C. statehood resulted in an 85% support among Washington, D.C., voters for it to become the nation's 51st state.

2016: Increase in Homicides

In 2016, the Metropolitan Police Department tallied 135 homicides, a 53% increase from 2012, but a 17% decrease from 2015.

January 2017: Trump Inauguration Cost

In January 2017, Donald Trump's inauguration cost Washington, D.C. $27 million, of which $7 million was never repaid to the Emergency Planning and Security Fund.

March 2017: Bill for statehood introduced in March 2017

In March 2017, the city's congressional delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton introduced a bill for statehood.

2017: Underground Power Line Project Approved

In 2017, the D.C. Public Service Commission approved a seven-year, $500 million plan to bury more power lines underground.

2017: Household and Per Capita Income

In 2017, the median household income in D.C. was $77,649 and the personal income per capita was $50,832, which was higher than any of the 50 states.

2018: Ex-Convict Residents

According to a 2018 report, 67,000 residents of Washington D.C., or about 10% of the population, are ex-convicts.

2018: Airport System Ranking

In 2018, the Washington, D.C. area was the 18th-busiest airport system in the world by passenger traffic, with over 74 million passengers across its three main commercial airports.

July 2019: Population estimate as of July 2019

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that Washington, D.C.'s population was 705,749 as of July 2019.

2019: Washington Nationals Popularity

As of 2019, the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball are the most popular sports team in Washington, D.C.

2019: Underground Power Line Construction Begins

Construction started in 2019 on the project to bury more power lines underground, as part of the seven-year plan approved in 2017.

2019: "A Salute to America" Event Cost

In 2019, Donald Trump's Independence Day event, "A Salute to America", cost Washington D.C. six times more than Independence Day events in past years.

2019: Median Household Income

In 2019, Washington, D.C., had the highest median household income in the U.S. at $92,266.

2019: Tourism Boom

In 2019, Washington, D.C., welcomed 24.6 million tourists, generating $8.15 billion in spending.

2019: Statehood bill reintroduced in 2019

In 2019, the statehood bill was reintroduced as the Washington, D.C., Admission Act.

2020: Population Data in 2020

According to 2020 Census Bureau data, the population of Washington, D.C., was 41.4% Black or African American, 39.6% White, 4.9% Asian, 0.5% American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and 5.4% Some Other Race.

2020: Religious Adherence

As of 2020, 56% of Washington, D.C.'s residents were adherents of a religious body, with Evangelical Protestantism being the largest tradition.

2020: Think Tank Hub

As of 2020, 8% of the country's think tanks were based in Washington, D.C., including prominent institutions like the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

2020: Combined statistical area population in 2020

In 2020, the Washington–Baltimore combined statistical area had a population exceeding 9.8 million residents.

April 2021: U.S. House passed Admission Act in April 2021

In April 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Washington, D.C., Admission Act.

2021: Walk Score Ranking

A 2021 study by Walk Score ranked Washington, D.C., the fifth-most walkable city in the country, with U Street, Dupont Circle, and Mount Vernon Square as the most walkable neighborhoods.

2021: Bill Introduced to Retrocede to Maryland

In 2021, a bill was introduced to Congress proposing to retrocede Washington, D.C. to Maryland, aiming to provide residents with normal representation as part of a state.

2021: Statehood bill passed the House of Representatives

In 2021, a statehood bill for Washington, D.C., passed the House of Representatives but was not adopted by the U.S. Senate.

2021: Statehood Bill Proposal

In 2021, a statehood bill proposed shrinking the federal district to an area roughly the size of the National Mall to address concerns about Congress operating from a district it controls.

May 2022: Bike Lane Network Expansion

In May 2022, Washington, D.C., celebrated the expansion of its bike lane network to 104 miles (167 km), marking a 60 percent increase from 2015.

July 2022: Federal Government Employment

As of July 2022, 25% of people employed in Washington, D.C., were employed by the federal government.

2022: Homeless population estimate in 2022

According to the Department of Housing and Development's Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 4,410 homeless people in Washington, D.C. in 2022.

2022: Top Employers

According to the District's reports, in 2022, top employers in Washington, D.C. included Georgetown University, Children's National Medical Center, and Washington Hospital Center.

2022: Airport System Ranking

By 2022, the Washington, D.C. area had climbed to 13th-busiest for passenger traffic, even though passenger numbers decreased to less than 69 million.

2022: Museum Visitation

In 2022, Washington, D.C. was home to several of the country's and world's most visited museums with the National Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery of Art being the two most visited museums in the country.

2022: Criticism for Refusing to Prosecute Offenders

In 2022, many D.C. residents began to press the city government for refusing to prosecute nearly 70% of arrested offenders.

January 2023: Statehood bill reintroduced in January 2023

In January 2023, the statehood bill was introduced again.

March 2023: Bike Lane Count

As of March 2023, Washington D.C. has 108 miles of bike lanes, with 30 miles of them protected bike lanes.

October 2023: Decline in Rate of Unprosecuted Cases

By October 2023, the rate of unprosecuted cases in Washington D.C. dropped to 56%, albeit still higher than nine of the past 10 years and almost twice what it was in 2013.

2023: Ranking of Washington D.C.'s Public Parks in 2023

According to the nonprofit Trust for Public Land, in 2023 Washington ranked first among the 100 largest U.S. cities for its public parks.

2023: Union Station Ranking

As of 2023, Washington Union Station is the ninth-busiest rail station in the nation and tenth-busiest in North America.

2023: Spike in Violent Crime

In 2023, Washington D.C. recorded 274 homicides, marking a 20-year high and a spike in violent crime.

2023: Washington metropolitan area population in 2023

In 2023, the Washington metropolitan area, including parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, had a population of 6.3 million residents.

2023: Financial Center Ranking

In the 2023 Global Financial Centres Index, Washington was ranked as having the 8th most competitive financial center in the world.

February 2024: Bill Passed to Reduce Crime

In February 2024, the Council of the District of Columbia passed a major bill meant to reduce crime in the city by introducing harsher penalties for arrested offenders.

February 2024: Capital Bikeshare Statistics

As of February 2024, the Capital Bikeshare program in Washington, D.C. had 6,372 bicycles and 395 stations.

2024: Michelin Guide Stars

As of 2024, 25 restaurants in Washington, D.C., have received stars in the Michelin Guide, representing the most starred restaurants per capita for any U.S. city.

2024: Lowest Levels of Violent Crime Per Capita

In 2024, violent crimes per-capita in Washington D.C. reached their lowest levels since 2010.

December 31, 2024: DC Circulator Closure

The DC Circulator bus system in Washington, D.C., is scheduled to close on December 31, 2024.

August 11, 2025: Federal control of Metropolitan Police Department

On August 11, 2025, President Donald Trump switched control of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia to the federal government.