Why is Washington DC not a state?

With Washington, D.C.'s mayor calling for a November vote on statehood, it raises the question, why wasn't the nation's capital made a state in the first place? First, it's worth remembering that Washington, D.C. was not always the capital. read more

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. read more

First, it’s worth remembering that Washington, D.C. was not always the capital. George Washington first took office in New York City, and then the capital was moved to Philadelphia, where it remained for a decade. Washington, D.C. was founded as the capital in 1790 as a result of a compromise between Alexander Hamilton and northern states, and Thomas Jefferson and southern states. read more

Washington State became part of the USA without dispute in 1846 (before that, Britain and the USA with some Spanish arguments disputed the area), 56 years after the founding of Washington DC and became a state in 1889, 99 years after the founding of Washington DC. read more

George Washington first took office in New York City, and then the capital was moved to Philadelphia, where it remained for a decade. Washington, D.C. was founded as the capital in 1790 as a result of a compromise between Alexander Hamilton and northern states, and Thomas Jefferson and southern states. read more

Washington DC was founded in 1790 and designed to be independent of any state. The District of Columbia (DC) is outside of the states of Maryland and Virginia, the states that donated land for the site. read more