Why is it called Washington DC?

Answer by  patti (29325)

The area was originally called the Territory of Columbia and Washington, names for the first president, was a city within with it was designated the nation's capital in 179. In 1871, Congress made the Territory and City one entity, and renamed it the District of Columbia. From that point, the city was known as Washington, DC.

Answer by  blb (79)

It's named after the U. S. 's first president. The DC stands for District of Columbia because the land the city sits on was originally part of the territory of Columbia.

Answer by  Rudolpho (154)

Because it was named after President George Washington, and is part of the District of Columbia. It is the only part of the country (other than military bases) run by the federal government. It was part of Maryland, however when the US was founded this part was split off as separate from the states.

Answer by  tbird (732)

The city of Washington used to be in the Territory of Columbia until 1891, when an act of Congress merged the two and called it the District of Columbia.