Naming of Washington, D.C.

Date: September 9, 1791 • Location: Shaw, United States

The commissioners overseeing the construction of the United States' new capital city named it Washington, in honor of the first president.

Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia and commonly shortened to Washington, or DC, is the capital city of the United States, and its only federal district.

This milestone marked a defining occurrence in United States's and world history, leaving an indelible imprint on societal development, international relations, and cultural memory. Its enduring ramifications continue to be examined and commemorated by historians and scholars across the globe.