District of Columbia

[W. Gray]

The federal government created the District of Columbia as a home for the federal government. It was purposely intended to be a distinct district separate from the states.

Since only citizens of the states may vote to elect the President of the United States, citizens of the District of Columbia may not vote for that office.

However, under the 23rd amendment to the Constitution, the district has three voting members of the Electoral College. The district can have no more members of the Electoral College than the least populous state has. Electoral members of the district have never voted Republican.

The word Columbia is a reference to Christopher Columbus. The country Colombia was also named after the same person.

Maryland and Virginia ceded land to the federal government to form the district.

Everyone, naturally, has heard of Washington, D.C.

However, once Washington was not so large and there was much open land available.

There was so much available that two other cities sprang up in the district: Georgetown, D.C. and Alexandria D.C.

Washington has since absorbed Georgetown and the land Alexandria occupies was given back to Virginia.