Washington, D.C.: direct dive into History
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Washington, D.C.: direct dive into History
In Washington, D.C. you can find the headquarters of the three branches of the United States federal government, executive, legislative and judicial. The city is easily identifiable because it is a frequent setting for films or television news.
However, the city has much more to offer than beautiful and wide views.
To travel to Washington, D.C. is synonymous with diving into the patriotism and early history of the United States, which gained its independence from Britain on July 4, 1776.
The city, located in the Federal District of Columbia, was built on land granted by the States of Maryland and Virginia. The construction of Washington started in 1792 and the city was inaugurated in 1800, becoming the capital of the United States that same year. The name is a clear homage to the first president of the United States, George Washington, who played a very active role in its construction.
In addition to the country's political center, Washington, D.C. is an history lesson on the path and the ideals that led to the creation of one of the greatest world powers. As such, the city has more than two hundred cultural spaces and museums, most of them with free admission.
The Smithsonian Institution, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of Air and Space, the National Gallery of Art and the Newseum, an interactive museum dedicated to journalism, are a must-visit.
National Mall: where (almost) everything is concentrated
The National Mall park is, of course, one of the most visited attractions in the city (it receives more than 20 million visitors every year), concentrating a big part of the most outstanding monuments and museums in Washington, D.C.
In this vast green area you can visit the United States Capitol, the impressive Library of Congress (it has the largest book collection in the world), the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument (the tallest obelisk on the planet) and the National Museum of American History, among many others.
In addition to being a tourist spot, the National Mall has been the stage for several demonstrations, such as the 1963 March on Washington, in which Martin Luther King Jr. made the famous speech “I Have a Dream.” The political activist was honored in 2011 with the opening of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, located nearby, in West Potomac Park.
But History is not everything
The capital of the United States is home to several professional sports clubs, such as the D.C. United, the Washington Capitals and the famous Washington Mystics women's basketball team. The city is also known for its native musical genre, go-go, originating from rhythm and blues. Furthermore, it has a strong local theater tradition and hosts several festivities every year, including the Capital Pride Parade and the DC Jazz Festival.
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