What does the “D.C.” stand for in Washington, D.C.?

Answer 1

The "D.C." in "Washington, D.C." stands for "District of Columbia." While they're now one and the same, Washington was a city within the District of Columbia until 1871.

In the late 1700s, Virginia and Maryland ceded land to the federal government in order to establish a federal district that would include the United States' new capital city. The district was named after Christopher Columbus, and the capital city was named after George Washington.

For various lengths of time, the district also included the cities of Alexandria and Georgetown, as well as Washington County, which encompassed multiple towns. But in 1871, the District of Columbia Organic Act created a single governing body over the district, dissolving the individual political subdivisions. The entire area eventually took on the name "Washington, D.C."

Answer 2

The "D.C." in "Washington, D.C." stands for "District of Columbia." While they're now one and the same, Washington was a city within the District of Columbia until 1871.

In the late 1700s, Virginia and Maryland ceded land to the federal government in order to establish a federal district that would include the United States' new capital city. The district was named after Christopher Columbus, and the capital city was named after George Washington.

For various lengths of time, the district also included the cities of Alexandria and Georgetown, as well as Washington County, which encompassed multiple towns. But in 1871, the District of Columbia Organic Act created a single governing body over the district, dissolving the individual political subdivisions. The entire area eventually took on the name "Washington, D.C."

Answer 3

The DC in Washington D.C. stands for the District of Columbia. The federal District of Columbia was formed from portions of the states of Virginia and Maryland which were ceded to the US government in order to establish a separate national capital, eventually named for George Washington. Thus the city of Washington is not in any state.

(The district now consists only of the Maryland cession, as the city of Georgetown was reverted to the state of Virginia prior to the Civil War.)

Answer 4

District of Columbia