November 17 in American History

November 17, 1800 — Congress meets in Washington, D.C. for the first time

The U.S. Congress convened in the new, half-built Capitol in Washington, D.C., moving the seat of government to its permanent home on the Potomac. The city had been carved out of swampy farmland specifically to be a capital belonging to no single state — a neutral ground for the whole Union.

Common Questions About November 17

What happened on November 17 in American history?

In 1800: Congress meets in Washington, D.C. for the first time. The U.S.

Why is November 17 significant?

The U.S. Congress convened in the new, half-built Capitol in Washington, D.C., moving the seat of government to its permanent home on the Potomac. The city had been carved out of swampy farmland specifically to be a capital belonging to no single state — a neutral ground for the whole Union.

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