Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to

as Washington or D.C., is the capital of the United States of America
Founded after the American Revolution as the seat of government of the newly independent
country, Washington was named after George Washington, first President of the United
States and Founding Father.
All three branches of the U.S. Federal Government are centered in the District: U.S.
Congress (legislative), President (executive), and the U.S. Supreme Court (judicial).
Landmarks and Museums
1. The White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United
States. The residence was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban in the neoclassical style.
2. The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. As a symbol
of the U.S. military, The Pentagon is often used metonymically to refer to the U.S. Department of
Defense. It is also the world's largest office building.
3. Arlington National Cemetery was established during the Civil War on the grounds
of Arlington House. President John F. Kennedy was interred there.
4. The Smithsonian Institution is a group of museums and research centers administered by
the Government of the United States. The institution is named after its founding donor, British
scientist James Smithson. The most popular museums are:
 The National Museum of Natural History
 National Museum of American History
 The National Portrait Gallery
 National Air and Space Museum
 National Museum of African Art
 The National Zoological Park
5. The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of
Washington, commonly known as Washington National Cathedral, is a cathedral of
the Episcopal Church whose structure is of Neo-Gothic design.
6. The National Archives building holds the original copies of the three main formative
documents of the United States and its government:
 the Declaration of Independence,
 the Constitution
 the Bill of Rights.
  an original version of the 1297 Magna Carta confirmed by Edward I is an
internationally historical document also on display
7. The Washington Monument is an obelisk representing the symbol of the city.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a spring celebration, commemorating the gift
of Japanese cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City to the city of Washington.
Major Wars
1. The War of 1812 (1812–1815) was a conflict fought between the United States, the United
Kingdom, and their respective allies. Historians in Britain often see it as a minor theatre of
the Napoleonic Wars; in the United States and Canada, it is seen as a war in its own right.
2. The American Civil War (1861-1863) - which took place as a result of the
long-standing controversy over slavery
3. The Korean War - as product of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United
States, Korea was split into two regions with separate governments.
4. Vietnam War
Memorials
1. Thomas Jefferson Memorial
2. Lincoln Memorial
3. World War II Memorial
4. Vietnam War Memorial
5. Korean War Memorial