Quote:
Originally Posted by MysticCat
This, I'm afraid. 
PIKA2001 and RU OX Alum are right -- originally Maryland and Virginia ceeded land to the federal government for the district. The district was square -- 10 miles on each side -- and included Washington (once it was built), Georgetown and Alexandria. The part north and east of the Potomac not in a city was called Washington County, and the part south and west of the Potomac was called Alexandria County (and included Arlington and other communities). Congress returned Alexandria and Alexandria County, which by law could not include any federal offices, to Virginia in 1846. In 1871, Congress revoked the individual charters for Washington, Georgetown and Washington County and made the district and the City of Washington coterminous.
Helpful animated gif:
ETA:
No taxation without representation...except for DC. |
Why was it returned in 1846?
ETA: I found this: http://wapedia.mobi/en/Alexandria,_Virginia
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Last edited by RU OX Alum; 05-06-2010 at 01:13 PM.
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