Jonah Patel
Washington, DC, is a district, not a state, and its creation stems directly from the US Constitution. The Constitution outlines that the district, not exceeding 10 miles square, would become the Seat of the Government of the United States. The National Archives in Washington, DC, houses the Founding Documents, including the Constitution, in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building. These documents establish the principles of the United States and are open to the public for viewing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 701 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20408 |
| Building | National Archives Building |
| Room | Rotunda |
| Visiting hours | 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Admission | Free |
| Displayed documents | The Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence |
| Washington, DC | Not a state but a district; operates as a state |
| DC stands for | District of Columbia |
| DC's Delegate in the US House of Representatives | Eleanor Holmes Norton |
| DC's vote for president and vice president | Three electoral votes |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution establishes Washington, DC as the seat of the US government
- The National Archives in Washington, DC houses the US Constitution
- The Constitution does not specify a location for the capital
- Washington, DC has no representation in the Senate
- The 23rd Amendment to the US Constitution gave Washington three electoral votes
The US Constitution establishes Washington, DC as the seat of the US government
The US Constitution establishes Washington, DC, as the seat of the US government. The US Constitution provides that the district, "not exceeding 10 Miles square," would "become the Seat of the Government of the United States." The Constitution dictates that the federal district be under the jurisdiction of the US Congress.
Washington, DC, is not a state; it is a district. DC stands for District of Columbia. Congress established the federal district in 1790 to serve as the nation's capital, taking land from the states of Maryland and Virginia. The district's creation comes directly from the US Constitution.
The Founding Documents, also known as the Charters of Freedom, are located in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. These documents establish the principles of the United States and have inspired Americans to pursue a more perfect union for almost 250 years.
Despite being a district, Washington, DC, operates as a state while also performing functions of a city and a county. The people of Washington, DC, are treated similarly to the people in the 50 states. District residents are required to fulfill all the obligations of US citizenship, including paying federal taxes and serving in the military. However, they do not have the same rights as citizens in the 50 states. They do not have a voice in their national government and have no sovereignty over their local affairs. They also have no representation in the Senate, which means they have no say in federally appointed positions or the confirmation of federal judges. This situation has been described as "taxation without representation."
There have been efforts to grant statehood to Washington, DC, and give its residents the same rights as other Americans. The District of Columbia has voted in support of statehood and approved a state constitution. The Washington, DC Admission Act has been introduced in the Senate and House, and the District of Columbia has voted in support of statehood. However, Washington, DC, has not yet been granted statehood, and the new Constitution is not yet in effect.
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The National Archives in Washington, DC houses the US Constitution
The National Archives in Washington, DC, houses the US Constitution, along with other founding documents known as the Charters of Freedom. These documents establish the principles of the United States and have inspired Americans to pursue a more perfect union for almost 250 years. The National Archives Building is located at 701 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20408. Admission is free, and the building is open to the public daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm.
The National Archives is a remarkable institution that showcases the extraordinary holdings of the United States. Among its many exhibits, the Rotunda of the National Archives Building is of utmost significance. It is here that the Founding Documents, including the US Constitution, reside. The Constitution is displayed alongside other pivotal documents such as the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. Together, these documents form the cornerstone of American democracy and continue to inspire and guide the nation.
The US Constitution, one of the world's most influential political documents, is a cornerstone of American democracy. It establishes the rights and freedoms of the American people and outlines the structure and powers of the federal government. The Constitution has been amended over time to reflect the evolving needs and values of American society. Its enduring presence in the National Archives serves as a reminder of the nation's commitment to liberty and justice.
The National Archives is not just a repository of historical documents but also a dynamic institution that offers a wealth of educational and cultural programs. From author lectures to family days, the Archives provides a variety of events that engage and enrich visitors. The Archives also boasts a research room that is open to the public, catering to those seeking in-depth knowledge or conducting specific research. By offering both physical and online resources, the National Archives ensures that the Founding Documents and other historical records are accessible to all.
Housing the US Constitution and other vital records, the National Archives in Washington, DC, stands as a testament to the nation's history and values. Through its exhibits and educational programs, the Archives plays a pivotal role in preserving and disseminating knowledge about the Founding Documents. By making these documents accessible to the public, the National Archives fosters a deeper understanding of American democracy and the principles upon which the nation was founded. Visitors to the Archives can explore not just the words on the pages but also the very essence of America's past, present, and future aspirations.
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The Constitution does not specify a location for the capital
The United States Constitution does not specify a location for the nation's capital. However, it does provide that a district, "not exceeding 10 miles square," would "become the Seat of the Government of the United States." This district, known as the District of Columbia or DC, was established by Congress in 1790 and includes land from the states of Maryland and Virginia. Washington, DC, is the name of the city that serves as the nation's capital within this federal district.
The decision to create a separate federal district for the capital was influenced by the idea that the capital should be a Federal City, not controlled by any individual state government. This ensured that no single state had an advantage over the others. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783 highlighted the need for the national government to have its own seat of power, independent of any state.
The location of the capital within the District of Columbia was chosen by President George Washington, who selected a site along an 80-mile stretch of the Potomac River. This decision was influenced by a compromise in which the federal government agreed to pay the remaining Revolutionary War debts of the states in exchange for establishing the capital in the Southern United States.
Today, Washington, DC, functions as a state in many ways, with its own school system, SNAP and Medicaid programs, and federal block grants. Residents of DC pay federal taxes and have voted in support of statehood, approving a state constitution, and a representative form of government. However, they lack representation in Congress and sovereignty over local affairs, which has led to ongoing discussions about granting statehood to the District of Columbia.
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Washington, DC has no representation in the Senate
The US Constitution provides that a federal district, separate from all other states, would serve as the permanent national capital. Thus, the federal district of Washington, DC, was formed to keep the capital of the United States distinct from the states themselves. Washington, DC, is not a state but a district, and its creation comes directly from the US Constitution, which provides that the district would become the "Seat of the Government of the United States."
Since the District of Columbia is not a state, its citizens are not represented in the two houses of Congress, unlike the residents of the fifty US states. Instead, the District has only a single non-voting representative in the House of Representatives and no representation in the Senate or the electoral college system. This means that district residents, who pay some of the highest rates of federal tax, have no say in federally appointed positions, such as the president's cabinet or those serving as US ambassadors to foreign countries. Washington, DC, residents also have no voice in the confirmation of judges to the federal bench or in the confirmation process for justices to the US Supreme Court.
The lack of representation in the Senate for Washington, DC, has sparked ongoing debates about voting rights and self-governance for its citizens. Many people consider this lack of representation to be an outdated historical holdover that should be remedied, either by granting representation or by declaring statehood. The District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973 granted limited self-governance, allowing residents to elect a mayor and a local council. However, Congress retains ultimate authority over the District's budget and legislation.
The people of Washington, DC, have voted in support of statehood, approved a state constitution, a representative form of government, and the proposed boundaries. The State of Washington DC Admission Act has been introduced in both the Senate and the House, with the next step being to pass such legislation and get it signed into law. This would require the support of Americans from DC and across the country, a majority in the US Congress, and the President's signature. Washington, DC, now operates as if it were a state, with a vibrant urban economy and a gross domestic product bigger than many states.
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The 23rd Amendment to the US Constitution gave Washington three electoral votes
The US Constitution is located in Washington, DC, at 701 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20408. It is housed in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building, where it is open to the public daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm.
Now, regarding the 23rd Amendment, while Washington, DC, is not a state, it is a district that serves as the seat of the US government. The creation of this district, encompassing land from Maryland and Virginia, is outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution, which specifies that the district would "become the Seat of the Government of the United States" with a size "not exceeding ten Miles square."
For a long time, residents of Washington, DC, did not have voting rights in presidential elections. The District of Columbia was not a state, and thus, according to the Constitution, it was not entitled to any electors before the 23rd Amendment. The 12th Amendment, ratified in 1804, outlines the procedure for electors to cast their ballots for the President and Vice President every four years. However, it was only with the 23rd Amendment that Washington, DC, gained electoral votes.
The 23rd Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified on March 29, 1961, extended the right to participate in presidential elections to the District of Columbia. This amendment granted Washington, DC, three electoral votes for the President and Vice President, effectively treating the district as a state for the purposes of the Electoral College. The first presidential election in which Washington, DC, participated was in 1964.
The push for Washington, DC, to gain voting rights in presidential elections gained momentum in the early to mid-20th century, particularly after the Great Depression and World War II. The issue of district voting rights became intertwined with the civil rights movement, and it received support from journalists and members of Congress, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Despite opposition, the 23rd Amendment was a significant step in granting Washington, DC, representation in the electoral process, even though the debate about statehood for the district continues.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution is located in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC.
The US Constitution, in Article One, Section Eight, permits the establishment of a "District (not exceeding ten miles square)" as the seat of the US government. This led to the creation of Washington, DC, as the nation's capital in 1790.
The Rotunda of the National Archives Building also displays the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence, along with other founding documents known as the Charters of Freedom.
Washington, DC, is not a state but a district, as per the US Constitution. DC stands for District of Columbia. While it operates as a state in many aspects, it lacks representation in Congress and control over local affairs.
Yes, there have been efforts towards statehood for Washington, DC. In 1982, the Constitution of the State of New Columbia was ratified and enacted into law in 1987. A District-wide referendum in 2016 approved a new constitution, but it is not yet in effect as DC has not been granted statehood.
