The Origins and Legal Status of the District of Columbia
The name “District of Columbia” was chosen to honor Christopher Columbus, the renowned explorer, and George Washington, the First President of the United States. This choice reflects the historical and political significance of the new federal territory established in the late 18th century.
Named Honors and Early Establishment
The Federal territory, initially known as the “Territory of Columbia,” was named to pay homage to Christopher Columbus. However, from its earliest days, many legislators preferred to refer to it as the “Federal District of Columbia.” Within this territory, the ports of Alexandria, which was formerly part of Virginia, and Georgetown, which was formerly part of Maryland, played significant roles.
Planning and Design
Planners laid out a new city within the Federal District, and the Federal Jurisdiction was structured accordingly. The evolution of this legal and administrative arrangement included the retrocession of Alexandria and the Port of Alexandria back to Virginia in 1848. This left the Port of Georgetown, the City of Washington, and the remainder of the territory as the County of Washington.
Organic Act of 1871
The Organic Act of 1871 repealed the individual charters of the cities of Washington and Georgetown, abolished Washington County, and created a new territorial government for the entire District of Columbia. Since 1871, the city of Washington and the federal District of Columbia have been one and the same legal jurisdiction. It is unique in that it is akin to a named city followed by the name of the state, yet it is neither a state nor part of any state.
Current Status and Representation
Prior to 1959, the District of Columbia, like the capitals of Mexico and Australia, was not legally a part of any state. This status has persisted since the creation of the new capital in the 1790s, which was initially called the “Federal City” before it was named the District of Columbia.
The residents of the District of Columbia, comprising approximately 700,000 U.S. citizens, have faced challenges similar to those of their counterparts in the capitals of Mexico and Australia. They have had no voting representation in Congress and, for a long time, had no elected Mayor. Instead, they were ruled by Congress. This situation reflects a historical and ongoing debate about the rights and representation of the residents of the District of Columbia.
Today, the District of Columbia remains a unique administrative area, valued for its historical significance and its role in the governance and representation of the United States.