Posted in D.C. February 12, 2017 by

Here Are 13 Things They Don’t Teach You About Washington DC In School

DC has a very fascinating history and while you may know some of it, you might know everything that has happened in the nation’s capital. Here are 13 interesting facts about DC that they probably did not teach you in school.

1. DC was saved by a thunderstorm
Courtesy of Wikimedia
During the War of 1812, the British troops stormed Washington and set the city ablaze in the hopes of destroying it. But a massive thunderstorm and tornado hit DC, putting out most of the fires and stopped the British from setting any other fires. The National Weather Service believes that more British soldiers were killed by the storm than by gunfire.
2. The National Mall was not always America’s front lawn.
Courtesy of Wikimedia
Before construction was finished, it was used for military encampments and medical facilities during the war.
3. DC is "technically" part of Maryland.
Courtesy of Wikimedia
DC was originally was founded on land by land given by Virginia and Maryland. But in 1846 DC gave the Virginia side back and it would later become Arlington County. So technically DC is Maryland land.
4. George Washington never lived in the White House.
Courtesy of Wikimedia
George Washington ended his time as president in 1797 and passed away before the federal government moved to DC in 1800, making him the only president to not live in the White House.
5. There was originally a typo on the Lincoln memorial.
Courtesy of Wikimedia
An "E" was chiseled instead of an "F" in "future." But it was later touched up. If you look closely, you can still see it.
6. Even though it is the capital of the United States, there are many European influences in some of our biggest monuments and memorials.
Flickr/PBS NewsHour
The Capitol building was designed by a British doctor. The White House was designed by an Irish architect, the Smithsonian is named for an Englishman and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial was sculpted in China.
DC has the highest concentration of lawyers than anywhere else in the country.
Flickr/Wesley Fryer
One in twelve DC residents are lawyers.
8. DC was not always the capital of the US.
Flickr/Garen M.
The first capital was New York City and then it was Philadelphia. Congress met in DC for the first time in 1800.
9. The sports teams were not always who they are in DC.
Courtesy of Wikimedia
The Washington Wizards were originally the Chicago Packers and the Washington Redskins were originally the Boston Braves.
10. There’s a statue made of canons.
Flickr/Ted
The famous statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square is made of British Canons that were taken in the War of 1812.
11. It would take 570 gallons of paint to cover the exterior of the White House.
Flickr/Angela N.
12. The DC flag is inspired by George Washington
Flickr/Ted Eytan
The design of Washington DC’s flag was based on the shelf from George Washington’s family’s coat of arms.
13. The Washington monument was supposed to be more than what it is today.
Flickr/Khush
It was supposed to include a serious of columns and 30 statues of famous individuals from the Revolution Wary. But budget constraints stopped those dreams.

Did anything surprise you? For more little known things about DC, learn the 15 strangest laws in the district!

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